Biological optical measurement instrument

ABSTRACT

A biological optical measurement instrument including: a measurement probe positionable to a surface of a subject, which irradiates light beams having a plurality of wavelengths from a light beam source through optical fibers onto the subject, and collects the light beams passed inside the subject from a plurality of positions to facilitate production of diagnostics from collected light beams of the subject, wherein the measurement probe is provided with probe casings which hold the optical fibers, fixing members where each respective fixing member is mateable with a respective probe casing to position the probe casings in a predetermined interval, and a support member which supports the fixing members, and wherein at least one of the respective probe casing or the respective fixing member is provided with a stopper claw to permit fixed engagement of the respective probe casing with the respective fixing member upon mating thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/937,842, filed Sep.28, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,454. This application relates to andclaims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. H11-87173, filed onMar. 29, 1999 and No. H11-139300, filed on May 19, 1999. The entirety ofthe contents and subject matter of all of the above is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a biological optical measurementinstrument and, in particular, relates to a measurement probe for abiological measurement instrument which is advantageous when beingapplied to a newborn and a subject Under operation.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been demanded for long an instrument which permits measurementinside a living body easily without harming the living body in fieldssuch as clinical medicine and brain science. For such demand, aninstrument, which measures inside a living body by irradiating lighthaving wavelength from visible to infrared onto the living body andthereafter by detecting the light passed through the living body, is,for example, disclosed in JP-A-9-98972 (hereinbelow will be referred toas document 1) and JP-A-9-149903 (hereinbelow will be referred to asdocument 2).

The “biological optical measurement instrument” disclosed in thesedocuments was constituted by a modulation use semiconductor laser whichgenerates light beams having different modulation frequencies,irradiation use optical fibers which introduce the generated light beamsto a living body and irradiate the same at different positions thereof,detection use optical fibers which collect light beams passed throughthe living body and introduce the same to photo diodes, a measurementprobe which secures the top end portions of the irradiation use anddetection use optical fibers at predetermined positions on the livingbody, a lock-in amplifier which separates wavelength and reflectionlight intensity corresponding to the irradiation positions fromelectrical signals representing light intensity passed through theliving body and outputted from the photo diodes (hereinbelow will bereferred to as “living body passed light intensity signal”), an A/Dconverter which converts outputs of the lock-in amplifier to digitalsignals, and a display unit which computes relative variation amounts ofoxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations at every measurement pointsfrom the living body passed light intensity signals after the A/Dconversion and displays the computed relative variation amounts as aliving body passed light intensity picture image (a topography pictureimage).

The conventional measurement probe was constituted by an optical fiberfixing member which arranges the top ends of the irradiation use opticalfibers and the detection use optical fibers alternatively in a gridshape and a fixing belt which fixes the optical fiber fixing member tothe living body. The optical fiber fixing member was formed, forexample, from a base member of a plastic sheet having thickness of about3 mm into a helmet or cap shape. To the optical fiber fixing member abelt was attached and through which the optical fiber fixing member wasfixed to the living body.

The optical fiber fixing member is provided with a plurality of holescorresponding to a plurality of positions where the light beams areirradiated to the living body and detected therefrom and optical fiberholders were arranged in each of the holes. The optical fiber holder isconstituted by a hollow shaped holder main body, a nut screw and anoptical fiber fixing screw, and with the nut screw the holder main bodyis fixedly attached to the optical fiber fixing member. Inside theholder main body the irradiation use optical fiber or the detection useoptical fiber was inserted and then fixed with the optical fiber fixingscrew while softly contacting the optical fiber onto the surface of theliving body.

As the result of investigation of the above referred to conventionalart, the present inventors found out the following problems.

In association with the progress of the recent medical technology, manyportions of a patient can be cured by an early detection, and, inparticular, an inspection device which is suitable for an earlydetection of encephalopathy of a newborn or for monitoring cerebralthrombus during cardiac operation is keenly demanded.

For example, it has been recognized that in a case of speech impedimentof a newborn caused by encephalopathy, since the portion relating tolanguage function of a newborn has been established at an early stage,therefore, if a proper treatment has not been carried out by detectingencephalopathy before the language function establishment the newborncan not speak language in his or her entire life time. For this reason,an inspection device which permits an early detection of encephalopathyof a newborn is strongly demanded.

Further, in a case of a newborn who has born with visual disability, itis impossible to recognize the visual disability by the newborn him orherself and generally such as the parents detect the visual disability.However, it is frequently required time of about one year after thebirth until the parents note the visual disability of the newborn whichcauses a problem with regard to early detection and early treatment.

As an inspection device which resolves the above problem, a biologicaloptical measurement instrument, which unnecessitates fixing of ameasurement portion during measurement, shows a low restraint propertyand permits measurement in any places and any environment, has drawnattention.

However, a conventional biological optical measurement instrument wasdeveloped under a precondition that a subject is in sitting orstanding-up position, therefore, in a case of a living body such as anewborn who is difficult to be kept in sitting or standing-up position,there arises a problem which prevents correct measurement, because thecontact positions between the scalp and the irradiation use anddetection use optical fibers displace, when the head moves.

Likely, even during monitoring of cerebral thrombus which is caused byclogging a blood vessel in the brain with a thrombus caused duringcardiac operation and being carried into the brain, since the bodyposition of a living body is in a lateral decubitus, there also arises aproblem which prevents measurement, because the contact positionsbetween scalp and the irradiation use and detection use optical fiberdisplace.

Further, in a case of a living body such as a newborn whose hair iscomparatively thin, it is possible to contact the irradiation use anddetection use optical fibers to the scalp while comparatively easilyavoiding hair, however, in a case of a living body such as an adult whohas a plenty of hair and each of which is hard, there was a problem thatit is difficult to avoid hair.

An object of the present invention is to provide a biological opticalmeasurement instrument which permits biological optical measurement of aliving body in lateral decubitus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a biologicalmeasurement instrument which permits to avoid hair easily at the timewhen attaching a measurement probe to a living body.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a biologicaloptical measurement instrument which permits biological opticalmeasurement while providing a predetermined stimulation to a subject.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a biologicaloptical measurement instrument which permits to enhance diagnosisefficiency in the course of biological optical measurement.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the description in the present specificationand the attached drawings.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, thefollowings simply explain an outline of representative features:

(1) In a biological optical measurement instrument which is providedwith a measurement probe which irradiates light beams having a pluralityof wavelengths and introduced from a light beam source through opticalfibers onto a subject and collects the light beams passed inside thesubject from a plurality of positions, and produces from the collectedpassed light beams a living body passed light beam intensity pictureimage of the subject, the measurement probe is provided with an opticalfiber fixing member which fixes the optical fibers in a predeterminedinterval and a support member which supports the optical fiber fixingmember so as to permit rocking thereof.

(2) In the biological optical measurement instrument as described inabove (1), the optical fiber fixing member is provided with holes forattaching the optical fibers and each of the attachment use holes isprovided with another hole continuous from the attachment use hole andextending to the outer circumferential direction thereof.

(3) In the biological optical measurement instrument as described inabove (1), the biological optical measurement instrument furtherprovided with a sense stimulating means having an acoustic means whichoutputs a predetermined acoustic wave and/or a video means whichdisplays a predetermined video image, and a picture image productionmeans which causes to output stimulating output from the sensestimulation means and produces a living body passed light beam intensitypicture image of the subject.

(4) In the biological optical measurement instrument as described inabove (1), the biological optical measurement instrument is furtherprovided with a display unit which displays the living body passed lightbeam intensity picture image.

(5) In the biological optical measurement instrument as described inabove (1), the supporting member is provided with means for hanging andsupporting the optical fiber fixing member.

(6) In the biological optical measurement instrument as described inabove (1), the supporting member is further provided with means forchanging the hanging height of the optical fiber fixing member.

With the above measures (1)-(6), since the measurement probe isconstituted while separating the optical fiber fixing member which fixesthe optical fibers at a predetermined interval from the supportingmember which supports the optical fiber fixing member 9 while permittingrocking thereof, through adjustment of attachment position and height ofthe optical fiber fixing member to the supporting member, even in a casewhen the body position of a subject is in lateral decubitus thebiological optical measurement can be performed without displacing theintervals of the optical fibers, namely, without displacing the contactpositions between the top end portions of the optical fibers and theepiderm of the subject. In this instance, since the optical fiber fixingmember is supported rockably with respect to the supporting member, evenfor a newborn who moves frequently in comparison with such as an adult,the biological optical measurement can be correctly performed.

In this instance, through the provision of the other hole in the opticalfiber fixing member which is formed continuous from the optical fiberattachment hole and is extended from the attachment hole to the outsidein radial direction, it makes possible to access directly to hair of thesubject from the hole extendingly locating in the circumferentialdirection, namely, it makes possible to easily displace the hair of thesubject from the hole extendingly locating in the circumferentialdirection, when attaching the optical fibers to the optical fiber fixingmember, the top end portions of the optical fibers can be directly andeasily contacted to the scalp. Namely, the efficiency of contacting workof the optical fibers to the subject is enhanced. Accordingly, diagnosisefficiency with the biological optical measurement instrument can beenhanced.

On one hand, with the provision of the sense stimulating means beingprovided with the acoustic means which outputs a predetermined acousticwave or a video image means which displays a predetermined video imageand the picture image production means which produces living body lightbeam intensity picture image of a subject in synchronism with or inasynchronism with the output from the acoustic means or the video imagemeans, a predetermined sense stimulation can be provided to a newbornwithout directly attaching a sense stimulation means thereto as well asa biological optical measurement from the moment when stimulation isprovided can be correctly performed, thereby, a biological opticalmeasurement can be performed accurately while providing a predeterminedstimulation to the subject.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic constitution of abiological measurement instrument representing embodiment 1 according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in the embodiment 1 according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a top view for explaining a schematic constitution of themeasurement probe in the embodiment 1 according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the measurement probe in theembodiment 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional side view for explaining aschematic constitution of a probe holder and a probe casing in theembodiment 1 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6( a), 6(b) and 6(c) are views for explaining a relationshipbetween a shell plate and a silicone rubber sheet in the embodiment 1according to the present invention;

FIGS. 7( a), 7(b) and 7(c) are views for explaining a schematicconstitution of another silicone rubber sheet in the embodiment 1according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe for a biological measurement instrument representingembodiment 2 according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view for explaining a schematic constitution of themeasurement probe for a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 2 according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining a schematic constitution of themeasurement probe for a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 2 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a probe holder and a probe casing in the embodiment 2 according tothe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross sectional side view for explaining aschematic constitution of a measurement probe in a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing embodiment 3 according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 3 according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 3 according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is another view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 3 according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a schematic constitution of abiological optical measurement instrument representing embodiment 4according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of astimulation unit in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 4 according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a manner when using the stimulationunit in combination with the embodiments 1 and 2 according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 5 according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 6 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 21( a) and 21(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a probe casing used for a measurement probe in a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing embodiment 7 according to thepresent embodiment;

FIGS. 22( a) and 22(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a measurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 8 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 23( a) and 23(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a measurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 9 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 24( a) and 24(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a measurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 10 according to the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 11 according to the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 12 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 27( a) and 27(b) are views for explaining a detailed constitutionof a shell plate in the embodiment 12 according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 28( a) and 28(b) are views for explaining a relationship betweenbiological optical measurement position and a probe holder position inthe embodiment 12 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 29( a) and 29(b) are views for explaining a relationship betweenbiological optical measurement position and another probe holderposition in the embodiment 12 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 30( a) and 30(b) are views for explaining a relationship betweenbiological optical measurement position and still another probe holderposition in the embodiment 12 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 31( a) and 31(b) are views for explaining a relationship betweenbiological optical measurement position and a further probe holderposition in the embodiment 12 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 32( a) and 32(b) are views for explaining constitution examples ofother shell plate used in other measurement probes in the embodiment 12according to the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a view for explaining a constitution example of another shellplate used in another measurement probe in the embodiment 12 accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a view for explaining a constitution example of still anothershell plate used in still another measurement probe in the embodiment 12according to the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 13 according to the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of anothermeasurement probe in the biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 13 according to the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of stillanother measurement probe in the biological optical measurementinstrument representing the embodiment 13 according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 38 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of a furthermeasurement probe in the biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 13 according to the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of a hairavoiding jig in embodiment 14 according to the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of anotherhair avoiding jig in embodiment 14 according to the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of a probecasing in a biological optical measurement instrument representingembodiment 15 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 42( a) and 42(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a probe casing and a probe holder used for a measurement probe in abiological optical measurement instrument representing embodiment 16according to the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a vertical cross sectional side view of the probe casing inthe embodiment 16 according to the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a vertical cross sectional side view of a probe casing usedfor a measurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 17 according to the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view for explaining a schematic constitution ofa probe casing used for a measurement probe in a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing embodiment 18 according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 46 is a vertical cross sectional view for explaining the structureof the probe casing before attachment thereof of the embodiment 18according to the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a vertical cross sectional view for explaining the structureof the probe casing at the time of attachment thereof of the embodiment18 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 48( a) and 48(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a light beam shielding mask used together with a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing embodiment 19 according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 49( a) and 49(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a measurement probe used together with the light beam shielding maskin the embodiment 19 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 50( a) and 50(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof another measurement probe used together with the light beam shieldingmask in the embodiment 19 according to the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of astimulation unit in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 20 according to the present invention;

FIG. 52 is a view for explaining a schematic constitution of anotherstimulation unit in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 20 according to the present invention;

FIG. 53 is a diagram for explaining a schematic constitution of abiological optical measurement instrument representing embodiment 21according to the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a view showing a display example by the biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing the embodiment 21 according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 55( a) and 55(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a measurement probe in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 22 according to the present invention;

FIGS. 56( a) and 56(b) are views for explaining an attachment state ofthe measurement probe of the embodiment 22 according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 57( a), 57(b) and 57(c) are views for explaining a schematicconstitution of a measurement probe in a biological optical measurementinstrument representing embodiment 23 according to the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 58( a) and 58(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof another supporting member used in a measurement probe according tothe present invention.

BEST MODES FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION

Hereinbelow, the present invention will be explained in detail togetherwith the embodiments according to the present invention with referenceto the drawings.

Further, in all of the drawings for explaining the embodiments accordingto the present invention ones having same functions are indicated by thesame symbols and their repeating explanation is omitted.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic constitution of abiological optical measurement instrument representing embodiment 1according to the present invention. 101 shows a measurement probe, 102 amodulated semiconductor laser, 103 a photo diode, 104 a lock-inamplifier, 105 an A/D converter, 106 an information processing unit, 107irradiation use optical fibers, and 108 detection use optical fibers,wherein for the means and mechanism other than the measurement probe101, well known conventional means and mechanisms are used. Further, theembodiment 1 shows a biological optical measurement instrument whichimages inside a brain by irradiating light beams onto the skin of thehead of a newborn and detecting the same while keeping the body positionof the newborn as a subject in lateral decubitus and wherein 24measuring points are given which are defined by the intermediate pointsbetween irradiation and detection (signal reception) points.

In FIG. 2, the measurement probe 101 in the embodiment 1 uses as thebase member, for example, a plastic sheet having a thickness of about 2mm. A shell plate 201 serving as an optical fiber fixing member whichfixes the irradiation use and detection use optical fibers along thehead shape of a subject is constituted in such a manner that afterforming the base member in a concave shape the optical fibers 107 and108 are fixed to the base member so that the top end portions of theirradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 whichcontact to the subject at the concave side are arranged at predeterminedpositions. To both end portions of the shell plate 201 respective oneends of two belts are disposed and when the other ends of the belts aresupported, the shell plate 201 is supported so as to permit rockingthereof in back and forth and right and left, namely, in the body axisdirection of the subject and the direction perpendicular to the bodyaxis. As a measure for supporting the other ends of the belts, twosupporting columns spaced apart by a predetermined distance areprovided, and with these supporting columns the other ends of the beltsare supported, thereby, the head portion of a measurement object, forexample, a newborn in lateral decubitus can be supported by the shellplate 201 as well as a displacement of contact positions between opticalfibers and the scalp in association with a movement of the head portionduring the measurement is prevented. Namely, if the shall plate 201 issupported so that the convex side of the shell plate 201 in that theback face side thereof to which the irradiation use and detection useoptical fibers 107 and 108 never directly contacts to such as bedsupporting the subject in lateral decubitus, a possible displacement ofthe contact positions between the irradiation use and detection useoptical fibers 107 and 108 and the scalp is prevented.

In the measurement probe 101 of the present embodiment 1 the shell plate201 is provided with a probe holder 211 for disposing alternately 8pieces of irradiation use optical fibers 107 and 8 pieces of detectionuse optical fibers 108 in a square grid shape. Further, the detailstructure of the measurement probe 101 will be explained later.

Still further, for the shell plate 201, when a plurality of shell plateshaving different size and different radius of curvature are prepared inadvance and a person performing inspection selects one of them properlydepending on the size of the head portion of a newborn serving as ameasurement object, a biological optical measurement which meets thehead portion of newborns of which individual size difference iscomparatively large can be realized.

Now, the constitution and operation of the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the present embodiment 1 will beexplained based on FIG. 1.

The modulated semiconductor laser 102 is constituted by, for example, 8pieces of optical modules provided with two semiconductor lasers, whichrespectively irradiate laser beams of two wavelengths of 780 nm and 830nm. Each of the optical modules is provided with a drive circuit whichdrives the respective semiconductor lasers, an oscillator which appliesmodulation signals having respectively different frequencies to thedrive circuit and provides modulation to the laser beams emitted fromthe respective semiconductor lasers and an optical fiber coupler whichintroduces light beams having wavelengths of 780 nm and 830 nm emittedfrom the respective semiconductor lasers into a single optical fiber(irradiation use optical fiber 107).

Accordingly, the mixed light beams having two wavelengths emitted fromthe modulated semiconductor laser 102 is irradiated from the top endportions of 8 pieces of irradiation use optical fibers 107 connected tothe respective optical modules to the head portion of the not shownnewborn serving as a subject. At this instance, the respectiveirradiation use optical fibers 107 are fixed to corresponding probeholders disposed on the shell plate in the measurement probe 101 andirradiate laser beams at respectively different positions on thesubject.

The light beams which have passed the head portion, namely, the livingbody passed light beams are respectively collected by the 8 pieces ofdetection use optical fibers 108 fixed to the corresponding probeholders disposed on the shell plate and are introduced to the photodiodes 103. The light beams introduced into the photo diodes 103 areconverted into living body passed light beam intensity signals ofelectrical signals representing the living body passed light beamintensity at respective photo diodes corresponding to the 8 pieces ofdetection use optical fibers 108 and are outputted to the lock-inamplifier 104. Further, the means for converting the light beamsintroduced by the 8 pieces of detection use optical fibers 108 intoelectrical signals is not limited to the photo diodes and any otherphotoelectric conversion elements such as photo multiplies can be used.

The living body passed light beam intensity signals inputted into thelock-in amplifier 104 are respectively separated into living body passedlight beam intensity signals corresponding to respective wavelength andirradiation positions and are outputted to the AND converter 105. Theliving body passed light beam intensity signals for every wavelength andirradiation position of digitally converted by the A/D converter arestored in a not shown memory unit inside or outside the informationprocessing unit 106. During or after ending the measurement, theinformation processing unit 106 computes relative variation amounts ofoxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations determined from detectionsignals at respective measurement positions by making use of the livingbody passed light beam intensity signals stored in the memory unit andcomputes hemoglobin concentration variation values at respectivemeasurement positions. Since, the method of computing the relativevariation amounts of the oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations fromthe detection signals at respective measurement positions is disclosedin the above documented 1 and 2, the detailed explanation thereof isomitted.

Thereafter, the information processing unit 106 computes the hemoglobinconcentration variation values in the measurement region, for example,by means of a well known cubic spline interpolation and the result iscaused to be displayed on a not shown display unit in a two dimensionalpicture image, thus a biological optical measurement can be easilyrealized even for a subject such as a newborn whose measurement insitting position is difficult.

Now, FIG. 2 shows a front view for explaining a schematic constitutionof a measurement probe 101 in the embodiment 1 and FIG. 3 is a top viewfor explaining a schematic constitution of the measurement probe 101 inthe embodiment 1 and FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining themeasurement probe 101 in the embodiment 1, and hereinbelow, based onFIG. 2 through FIG. 4, the structure and function of the measurementprobe 101 according to the embodiment 1 will be explained. However, inorder to simplify the explanation an illustration of the probe casing210 to be attached to the shell plate 201 is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 4(in this connection see FIG. 5).

In FIG. 2 through FIG. 4, 201 shows a shell plate, 202 a belt, 203 asubject fixing belt, 204 an adjustment use supporting column, 205 asupporting column, 206 a belt hanging member, 207 an adjustment screw,208 a pillow base, 209 a rubber base, 211 a probe holder, 212 a siliconerubber sheet, 213 a cable clamp, 214 a subject, 215 holes formed in thebelt 202 and 216 a hair avoiding hole (an adjustment hole).

As will be apparent from FIG. 2 through FIG. 4, the measurement probe101 according to the embodiment 1 is constituted by an optical fiberfixing member which fixes the top end portions of the irradiation useoptical fibers 107 and the detection use optical fibers 108 atpredetermined positions on the head portion of the subject 214 and asupporting member which hangs and supports the optical fiber fixingmember and the head portion of the subject 214 supported by the opticalfiber fixing member.

The optical fiber fixing member according to the embodiment 1 isconstituted by the shell plate 201, the belts 202 which hang the shellplate 201 to the supporting member, the subject fixing belt 203 whichfixes the head portion of the subject 214 on the shell plate 201 and thesilicone rubber sheet 212 which is disposed between the head portion ofthe subject 214 and the shell plate 201.

The shell plate 201 according to the present embodiment 1 uses as thebase member thereof a plastic sheet having thickness of about 2 mm whichis formed into a concave as has been explained above. With thus formedbase member a mechanical strength which prevents deformation isrealized, when the weight of the head portion of the subject 214 issupported thereby. To the shell plate 201, 16 pieces of probe holders211 are attached which are for fixedly dispose the irradiation useoptical fibers 107 and the detection use optical fibers 108 to the shellplate 201. As will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachmentpositions of these probe holders 211 are arranged in a grid shape alongthe surface configuration of the shell plate 201. Further, in theembodiment 1, since total of 16 pieces of optical fibers of 8 pieces ofthe irradiation use optical fibers 107 and 8 pieces of the detection useoptical fibers 108 are used, 16 pieces of probe holders 211, thedetailed structure of which will be explained later, are attached to theshell plate 201.

Further, when performing a biological optical measurement, it isnecessary to directly contact the top end portions of the irradiationuse and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 to the scalp, in thatthe skin surface of the subject. Namely, it is known that when thereexists such as hair between the optical fibers 107 and 108 and the scalpthe irradiation light beams or the detection light beams areinterrupted, and the measurement accuracy is greatly reduced or themeasurement itself is prevented. However, in the shell plate 201according to the embodiment 1, a plurality of the hair avoiding holes216 are formed together with the probe holders 211 and the hair of thesubject 214 can be displaced through the hair avoiding holes 216,thereby, the top end portions of the optical fibers 107 and 108 can beeasily contacted onto the scalp. Namely, the efficiency of contactingwork of the optical fibers 107 and 108 to the subject is enhanced.Accordingly, diagnosis efficiency with the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 1 can be enhanced.

Further, since the hair avoiding holes 216 functions as vent holesduring the measurement, a possible load induced to the subject isreduced, even if the measurement time is prolonged.

At the both end portions of the shell plate 201, two holes one for thebelt 202 and the other for the subject fixing belt 203 are provided. Inparticular, in the shell plate 201 according to the embodiment 1, thetwo holes for the belts 202 are formed in such a manner that a straightline connecting the two holes for passing the belts 202 runs through ornear the center of the shell plate 201, therefore, an advantage, thatwhen the head portion of the subject is placed on the shell plate 201,the safety for the subject can be increased, is achieved.

A plurality of holes 215 are formed on the belt 202 along the extendingdirection thereof, therefore, when a proper hole 215 to be hooked to thebelt hooking member 206 formed at the top end portion of the adjustmentsupporting column 204 is selected, the rockable amount of the shellplate 201 is freely adjusted. At this instance, since the shell plate201 can be rotated around the body axis of the subject 214, it ispossible to perform an angle adjustment, in that an inclinationadjustment of the shell plate 201 in response to the body position ofthe subject 214. Further, the height of the shell plate 201 can beadjusted. However, if the height of the shell plate 201 is adjusted byadjusting the let-off amount of the adjustable support column 204 whichwill be explained later, the rocking freedom of the shell plate 201 canbe adjusted easily.

The subject fixing belt 203 is formed by a resin series material havingcomparatively small elasticity, thereby, even if the measurement time iscomparatively prolonged, a possible load induced to the subject 214 bycontinuously fastening the head portion of the subject 214 can bereduced. However, even in a case when the subject fixing belt 203 isformed by such as rubber having a large elasticity, if it is alwaysconcerned to limit the fastening force, the possible load is, of course,reduced.

The silicone rubber sheet 212 is a sheet for preventing thecomparatively hard shell plate 201 and probe holders 211 from directlycontacting the scalp and further functions as a cushioning and anon-slip member. The silicone rubber sheet 212 is provided with holes atthe positions corresponding to the attachment positions of the probeholders 212 for passing therethrough the irradiation use optical fibers107 and the detection use optical fibers 108 and other not shown holescorresponding to the hair avoiding holes, and through these holes thetop ends of the optical fibers are contacted to the scalp of the subject214.

On one hand, the supporting member according to the embodiment 1 isconstituted by the supporting column 205, the adjustable supportingcolumn 204, the belt hook member 206, the adjustment screw 207, thepillow base 208 and the rubber base 209.

As will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the pillow base 208 uses as the basemember, for example, an aluminum plate having thickness of about 5 mm,and the base member is formed in a U shape, thereby, a freedom whendisposing the measurement probe 101 at the head portion of the subject214 is kept. At the back face of the pillow base 4 pieces of rubber legs209 are respectively arranged at the corners thereof, and with theserubber legs 209 the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 1is prevented from slipping during the measurement as well as vibrationtransmission to the shell plate 201 is prevented which may displace thepositions of the optical fibers 107 and 108.

On the two opposing sides of the pillow base 208, the supporting columns205 are attached on the respective front faces thereof in up-rightdirection. In the supporting column 205 a cylindrical hole is formedalong its extending direction as well as the adjustment screw 207 isdisposed at the side face of the supporting column 205 directing to thecenter thereof.

One end of the adjustment supporting column 204 is formed into acircular column which fits into the cylindrical hole formed in thesupporting column 205, and at the side face thereof a plurality ofgrooves are formed. Namely, in the supporting member according to theembodiment 1, through adjustment of the let-off amount of the adjustmentsupport column 204 from the support column 205 and by fitting theadjustment screw 207 into one of the grooves, the height of the shellplate 201 can be freely adjusted as well as the inclination of the shellplate 201 can be adjusted. However, as mentioned previously, theinclination of the shell plate 201 can also be adjusted by selecting theholes 215 formed at the belts 202.

On the other hand, the other end of the adjustment support column 204 isformed in a cuboid shape and all of the corners thereof to which thebelt 202 may contact are rounded, and the top portion, in that endportion thereof is formed in a curved shape to constitute thecylindrical belt hooking portion 206. Thus, in the embodiment 1, thecorners at the other end of the adjustment support column 204, in thatthe side where the belt 202 is attached are rounded, a possible wear ofthe belts 202 is prevented. Further, the diameter of the belt hookportion 206 is formed smaller than the diameter of the holes 215 formedat the belt 202 and through proper selection of one of a plurality ofholes 215 formed at the belt 202, the adjustment as explained previouslycan be performed.

As will be seen from the above, in the supporting member according tothe embodiment 1, by means of the support column 205 and the adjustmentsupport column 204 the necessary height of the shell plate 201 beinghanged in the air is obtained.

Further, in the support member according to the embodiment 1, a wellknown cable clamp 213 for bundling the irradiation use optical fibers107 and the detection use optical fibers 108 is disposed. The cableclamp 213 is disposed at the front face of one of shorter sides of thepillow base 208 so as to bundle the optical fibers 107 and 108 in theattachment direction of the belts 202, in that the limited movementdirection of the shell plate 201 to thereby prevent a possibleapplication of unwanted force onto the optical fibers 107 and 108.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional side view for explaining aschematic structure of a probe holder 211 and a probe casing 210 in theembodiment 1, wherein 210 shows the probe casing, 503. a springmechanism and 502 a case cap screw.

As will be seen from FIG. 5, the probe casing 210 is formed in acylindrical shape, and the diameter of the side face at one end thereofis formed to be reduced gradually toward the end thereof. Further, inthe inner circumferential portions in the respective probe casings 210 awell know spring mechanism 501 is built-in and the movable side of thespring mechanism 501 is secured to the concerned optical fiber. In thisinstance, the movable side of the spring mechanism secured to theoptical fiber acts to push out the top end portion of the optical fiberto the side where the diameter of the probe casing 210 graduallyreduces, in that to the side causing the same to contact to the subject214.

Accordingly, with the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment1, under the attachment state of the probe casing 210 into the probeholder 211, if the shell plate 201 is moved up and down and right andleft while pressing the same onto the head portion of the subject 214, apossible hair caught between the scalp and the top end portions of theoptical fibers 107 and 108 can be easily avoided. Namely, the haircaught between the scalp and the top end portion of the optical fibersonce moves out in association with the movement of the shell plate 201,rending of the optical fibers on the hair is prevented by the pressingforce of the spring mechanism, thereby, the top end portions of theoptical fibers 107 and 108 can be easily contacted onto the scalp.

On one hand, the probe holder 211 is also formed in a cylindrical shape,and one end thereof is secured to the shell plate 201 and at the otherend thereof the case cap screws 502 are disposed which, after insertingthe probe casing 210 into the probe holder 211, retain the same therein.

Further, in the embodiment 1, the extending direction of the belt hookportion 206 is constituted to align with the extending direction of thesupport column 205, however, like the belt hook portion 206 in theembodiment 2 which will be explained later, when the top end portion isbent in L shape, an easy unhooking of the belt 202 can be prevented.

Further, in the embodiment 1, the silicone rubber sheet 212, to whichholes are provided at the positions of the probe holders 211 arranged onthe shell plate 201 as shown in FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b), is, for example,constituted to be disposed between the subject 214 and the shell plate201 as shown in FIG. 6( c), however, the constitution thereof is neverlimited thereto, for example, silicone rubbers 5801 formed in C shapesimilar to the back face configuration of the probe holder 211 as shownin FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b) can of course simply secured at the back side ofthe probe holder 211 as shown in FIG. 7( c). Further, for the siliconerubber 5801 and the silicon rubber sheet 212 other interposing membersuch as sponge having elasticity and slip preventing effect can be ofcourse used.

Further, when a probe holder 211 is formed in an incomplete circle bycutting a part thereof as shown in FIGS. 6( a) and 7(a), it is possibleto access directly to the fixing use holes for the probe holder 211,therefore, hair caught between the scalp and an optical fiber can bedisplaced from the cut-out portion without specifically providing thehair avoiding holes.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 8 is a front view for explaining a schematic constitution of ameasurement probe 101 for a biological measurement instrumentrepresenting embodiment 2 according to the present invention, FIG. 9 isa top view for explaining a schematic constitution of the measurementprobe 101 for a biological optical measurement instrument representingthe embodiment 2 according to the present invention, and FIG. 10 is aside view for explaining a schematic constitution of the measurementprobe for a biological optical measurement instrument representing theembodiment 2 according to the present invention. However, in thefollowing only the portion of the measurement probe 101 of whichstructure is different from that in the biological optical measurementinstrument of embodiment 1 will be explained. In FIGS. 8 through 10, 601shows a first pillow base, 602 a second pillow base, 603 a rubber plate,604 a mirror, 605 a first silicone rubber plate, 606 a second siliconerubber plate, 607 a first shell plate, 608 a second shell plate, 609 afirst fixing belt, 610 a second fixing belt, 611 a probe casing, 612 aprobe holder, 613 a shell plate carrying stand and 614 hair avoidingholes.

An optical fiber fixing member according to the embodiment 2 isconstituted by the first silicone rubber plate 605, the second siliconerubber plate 606, the first shell plate 607, the second shell plate 608,the first fixing belt 609, the second fixing belt 610 and the belts 202.

Like the shell plate 201 according to the embodiment 1, the first shellplate 607 and the second shell plate 608 use as the base member thereofa plastic sheet having thickness of, for example, about 3 mm which isformed into a concave shape. With thus formed base member a mechanicalstrength which prevents deformation is realized, when the weight of thehead portion of a not shown subject is supported thereby.

Like the shell plate 201 according to the embodiment 1, to the firstshell plate 607 and the second shell plate 608 respectively 8 pieces ofprobe holders 612 are attached which are for fixedly disposing theirradiation use optical fibers 107 and the detection use optical fibers108 to the first shell plate 607 and the second shell plate. Like theembodiment 1, the attachment positions of these probe holders 612 arearranged in a grid shape along the surface configuration of the firstshell plate 607 and the second shell plate 608. Further, in the same wayas in the biological optical measurement instrument according to theembodiment 1, since total of 16 pieces of optical fibers of 8 pieces ofthe irradiation use optical fibers 107 and 8 pieces of the detection useoptical fibers 108 are used, 8 pieces of probe holders 612 the detailedstructure of which will be explained later are respectively attached tothe shell plates 607 and 608.

In the shell plate 607 a plurality of the hair avoiding holes 614 areformed which extend from the holes of the probe holders 612 and the notshown hair of the subject can be displaced through the hair avoidingholes 614, thereby, the top end portions of the irradiation use anddetection use optical fibers 107 and 108 attached to the first shellplate 607 can be directly contacted onto the scalp, thereby, theefficiency of contacting work is enhanced. Accordingly, diagnosisefficiency with the biological optical measurement instrument accordingto the embodiment 2 can be enhanced. Further, since the hair avoidingholes 614 functions as vent holes during the measurement like the hairavoiding holes 216 according to the embodiment 1, a possible loadinduced to the subject is reduced, even if the measurement time isprolonged. In the embodiment 2, since the occipital, in that the bottomside of the head of the not shown subject is to be disposed on the firstshell plate 607, the hair avoiding holes 614 are only provided for thefirst shell plate 607 in connection with which working efficiencypossibly reduces. However, the hair avoiding holders 614 can of coursebe provided for the second shell plate 608.

At the both end portions of the first shell plate 607, each one hole isprovided for passing the belt 202, the first fixing belt 609 and thesecond fixing belt 610. On one hand, at the both ends of the secondshell plate 608, each one hole for passing the first fixing belt 609 andthe second fixing belt 610 is provided. In the embodiment 2, like theembodiment 1, the two holes for the belts 202 are formed in such amanner that the belts 202 runs through or near the center of the firstshell plate 607 which is designed to support the head portion of thesubject.

Further, also in the embodiment 2, a plurality of holes 215 are formedon the belt 202 along the extending direction thereof, therefore, when aproper hole 215 to be hooked to the belt hooking member 206 formed atthe top end portion of the adjustment supporting column 204 is selected,the rockable amount of the first shell plate 607 is freely adjusted. Atthis instance, since the first shell plate 607 can be rotated around thebody axis of the subject 214, it is possible to perform an inclinationadjustment of the first shell plate 607 in response to the body positionof the subject. Further, the height of the first shell plate 607 can beadjusted. However, if the height of the first shell plate 607 isadjusted by adjusting the let-off amount of the adjustable supportcolumn 204 like the embodiment 1, the rocking freedom of the first shellplate 607 can be adjusted easily.

Like the subject fixing belt 203 in the embodiment 1, the first fixingbelt 609 and the second fixing belt 610 are formed by a resin seriesmaterial having comparatively small elasticity, thereby, even if themeasurement time is comparatively prolonged, a possible load induced tothe subject by continuously fastening the head portion of the subjectcan be reduced. However, even in a case when the first fixing belt 609and the second fixing belt 610 are formed by such as rubber having alarge elasticity, if it is always concerned to limit the fasteningforce, the possible load is, of course, reduced.

With the first and second fixing belts 609 and 610, the first and secondshell plate 607 and 608 are fixed to the not shown subject, thereby,even if the subject moves, it is prevented to displace the contactpositions easily between the top end positions of the irradiation useand detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 and the scalp. Inparticular, in the embodiment 2, since the first and second shell plates607 and 608 are fixed by the two fixing belts of the first and secondfixing belts 609 and 610, an advantage that the contact positiondisplacement is hardly caused.

The first silicone rubber plate 605 is a plate for preventing the firstand second fixing belts 609 and 610, which are hard because of acomparatively low elasticity, from touching such as ears of the subject,and at the both ends thereof holes for passing the first and secondfixing belts 609 and 610 are formed.

The second silicone rubber plate 606, like the silicone rubber sheet 212in the embodiment 1, is a plate for preventing the comparatively hardfirst shell plate 607 and probe holders 612 from directly contacting thescalp and further functions as a cushioning and a non-slip member. Thesecond silicone rubber plate 606 is provided with not shown holes at thepositions corresponding to the attachment positions of the probe holders612 for passing therethrough the irradiation use optical fibers 107 andthe detection use optical fibers 108, and through these holes the topends of the optical fibers are contacted to the scalp of the subject.

Thus, through the biological optical measurement making use of themeasurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 2 and from a twodimensional picture image representing hemoglobin concentrationvariation value in a measurement region which is obtained from the lightbeams passed through a living body and collected by the detection useoptical fibers 108 disposed on the first shell plate 607, functionsrelating to the occiput can be measured. On the other hand, from a twodimensional picture image representing a hemoglobin concentrationvariation value in a measurement region which is obtained from lightbeams passed through the living body and collected by the detection useoptical fibers 108 disposed on the second shell plate 608, functionsrelating to the sinciput can be measured. Thereby, the biologicaloptical measurement instrument making use of the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 2 is suitable, for example, for monitoring abrain in a broad area such as caused by being carried into the brain athrombus caused during operation (in particular, cardiac operation) andclogging a blood vessel in the brain.

On one hand, the supporting member according to the embodiment 2 isconstituted, in addition to the supporting column 205, the adjustablesupporting column 204, the belt hook member 206 and the adjustment screw207 in embodiment 1, by the first pillow base 601, the second pillowbase 602, the rubber base 603, the mirror 604 and the shell platecarrying stand 613.

As will be seen from FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the first pillow base 601 usesas the base member, for example, an aluminum plate having thickness ofabout 5 mm like the pillow base 208 in the embodiment 1, and the basemember is formed in a U shape, thereby, a freedom when disposing themeasurement probe 101 at the head portion of the subject is kept.

The second pillow base 602 uses as the base member, for example, analuminum plate having thickness of about 3 mm and is formed in arectangular shape, thereby, an area for disposing the first pillow base601 and the mirror 604 on the upper side face of the second pillow base602 is ensured. At the back face of the second pillow base 602, 3 piecesof rubber plates 603 are arranged along the first pillow base 601, andwith these rubber plates, like the rubber legs 209 in the embodiment 1the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 2 is preventedfrom slipping during the measurement as well as vibration transmissionto the first shell plate 607 is prevented which may displace thepositions of the optical fibers 107 and 108.

As will be seen from FIGS. 8 and 10, on the upper face of the firstpillow base 601 the shell plate carrying stand 613 is disposed which isfor keeping temporarily the second shell plate 608 when the measurementprobe 101 is not used. The shell plate carrying stand 613 is constitutedin such a manner that column shaped body extending upward from the upperface of the first pillow base 601 is at first bent in the directionsubstantially in parallel with the first shell plate 607 and the top endportions thereof is then bent upward again so as to be located inparallel with the first pillow base 601.

The mirror 604 disposed on the upper face of the second pillow base 602is used for confirmation when performing the hair avoiding under thecondition when a subject is placed on the first shell plate 607,thereby, the top ends of the optical fibers can be surely contacted tothe scalp as well as work efficiency therefor is enhanced.

FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) are views for explaining a schematic structure ofthe probe holder 612 and the probe casing 611 according to theembodiment 2, and, in particular, FIG. 11( a) is a vertical crosssectional side view of the probe holder 612 and the probe casing 611according to the embodiment 2 and FIG. 11( b) is a front view of theprobe holder 612 and the probe casing 611 according to the embodiment 2.

In FIG. 11( a), 901 shows a spring mechanism, 902 a first casing screw,and 903 a second casing cap screw.

As will be seen from FIG. 11( a), the probe casing 611 according to theembodiment 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of theside face at one end thereof is formed to be reduced gradually towardthe end thereof. Further, in the inner circumferential portions in therespective probe casings 611 a well know spring mechanism 901 isbuilt-in and one end of the spring mechanism 901 is secured to the mainbody of the probe casing 611 and the other end thereof is secured to themovable portion catching the concerned optical fiber. In this instance,the movable portion of the spring mechanism catching the optical fiberacts to push out the top end portion of the optical fiber to the sidewhere the diameter of the probe casing 611 gradually reduces, in that tothe side causing the same to contact to the subject 214. Accordingly,like the embodiment 1, under the attachment state of the probe casing611 into the probe holder 612 a force which pushes out the opticalfibers toward the concave face side of the first and second shell plates607 and 608 is always applied.

Further, in the probe casing 611 according to the embodiment 2 a grooveis formed around the outer circumference thereof so that the top endportions of the first and second casing cap crews 902 and 903 disposedat the probe holder 612 can be inserted into the groove formed on theouter circumference thereof.

On one hand, in the probe holder 612 according to the embodiment 2 acut-out is formed at a part of the cylinder shape thereof and the probeholder 612 is fixed to the first shell plate 607 so that the formedcut-out aligns with the cut-out formed in the first shell plate 607.Further, as mentioned above, for the probe holder 612 the first andsecond casing screws 902 and 903 are disposed at the positioncorresponding to the groove on the circumferential thereof. The lengthof the first and second casing cap screws 902 and 903 are formed in sucha manner that the top end portions thereof project from the innercircumferential face of the probe holder 612 and are inserted into thegroove formed around the outer circumferential face of the probe casing611, thereby, the probe casing 611 is permitted to be held within theprobe holder 612.

Further, in the embodiment 2, since the outer circumferential diameterof the probe casing 611 is constituted smaller than the innercircumferential diameter of the probe holder 612, the top end portion ofthe probe casing 611, in that the top end portion of the concernedoptical fiber is movably supported in the direction perpendicular to astraight line formed by connecting the first and second casing capscrews 902 and 903 assuming the positions where the top end portions ofthe first and second casing cap screws 902 and 903 are inserted as afulcrum. Accordingly, in the embodiment 2 after the first and secondshell plates 607 and 608 have been attached to the subject, hair can bedisplaced toward the cut-outs formed in the shell plates 607 and 608, inaddition thereto, after attaching the probe casing 611 in that theconcerned optical fiber into the probe holder 612 disposed on the firstand second shell plate 607 and 608, the probe casing 611 can be swungaround the fulcrum. Namely, in the embodiment 2 the top end portion ofthe irradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 arepermitted to be swung in the direction perpendicular to the straightline formed by connecting the first and second casing cap screws 902 and903. Accordingly, even in a case of a subject having plenty of hair incomparison with a newborn, the hair caught between the scalp and theoptical fibers can be easily avoided. As a result, work efficiency fordirectly contacting the top end portions of the irradiation use anddetection use optical fibers 107 and 108 at predetermined positions onthe scalp of the subject can be enhanced. Accordingly, the diagnosisefficiency for a subject with the biological optical measurementinstrument according to the embodiment 2 is enhanced.

Further, any direction of the cut-out with respect to the swingingdirection of the probe casing 611 can be used, however, it is of causemost preferable to set the same at 90°.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross sectional side view for explaining aschematic constitution of a measurement probe 101 in a biologicaloptical measurement instrument representing embodiment 3 according tothe present invention; FIG. 13 is a top view for explaining a schematicconstitution of a measurement probe 101 in a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing the embodiment 3 according to thepresent invention; and is a side view for explaining a schematicconstitution of a measurement probe 101 in a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing the embodiment 3 according to thepresent invention. However, in the following explanation, only the partof the measurement probe 101 which is different from the biologicaloptical measurement instrument according to the embodiment 1 will beexplained. Further, in order to simplify the explanation, a case whereinrespective 2 pieces of irradiation use optical fibers 107 and thedetection use optical fiber 108 are included will be explained.

In FIGS. 12 through 14, 1001 shows a casing, 1002 a probe holder, 1003 aprobe casing and 1004 a casing cap screw.

As will be seen from FIGS. 12 through 14, in the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 3, since the probe holder 1002 and the probecasing 1003 are accommodated in the casing 1001, the measurement probe101 is constituted so that no unwanted force is applied to the probecasing 1003 and the irradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107and 108, even when the measurement is performed for a not shown subjectin lateral decubitus.

The upper face of the casing 1001 is formed in a concave shape like theshell plate 201 according to the embodiment 1 and on the upper facethereof the prove holder 1002 is disposed.

Through projecting the top ends of the irradiation use and detection useoptical fibers 107 and 108 from the upper face of the casing 1001, themeasurement probe 101 supports the head portion of a not shown subjectin lateral decubitus as well as the contacting portions between thescalp and the optical fibers 107 and 108 can be easily determined.Although, in the embodiment 3, the face opposing to the upper face ofthe casing 1001 where the probe holders 1002 are disposed is formed in aflat plane, but the configuration thereof is not limited to the above,and alternatively as shown in FIG. 15, when the face opposing to theupper face of the casing 1001 is formed in a curved shape or asemicylindrical shape, the main body of the casing 1001, in that the topend portions of the irradiation use and detection use optical fibers107. and 108 can be moved in response to the movement of the headportion of the not shown subject, thereby, displacement of the detectionpositions due to movement of head portion of the subject can beprevented.

In this instance, when first and second subject fixing belts 2002 and2003 for fixing the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 3are provided at a portion of a shell plate 2001 serving as the upperface of the casing 1001, the follow-up property of the measurement probe101 with respect to a subject 214 can be further enhanced, thereby, theperformance of preventing detection position displacement due tomovement of the head portion of the subject can be further enhanced.Further, when the portion of the shell plate 2001 is formed by acomparatively soft material, a sense of strangeness is greatly reducedwhen the measurement probe 101 is, in particular, used for thebiological optical measurement for an infant. Still further, when themeasurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 3 is used, themeasurement probe 101 can easily follows up the movement around the bodyaxis representing the major movement of the infant, thereby, thedetection position displacement due to the movement of the head portionof the subject can be prevented.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a schematic structure of abiological optical measurement instrument representing embodiment 4according to the present invention, wherein 1301 shows a sensestimulation unit. However, in the following explanation, the structureand operation of the stimulation unit 1301 will be explained which isthe only difference from the structure of the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 1.

The biological optical measurement instrument according to theembodiment 4 includes the sense stimulation unit 1301 which delivers apredetermined display output and audio output, for example, based onvideo signals and audio signals representing control signals from theinformation processing unit 106 according to the embodiment 1.Accordingly, since an activity condition of a brain can be measuredwhile giving a video image stimulation and an audio stimulation to asubject, thereby, a further correct measurement can be achieved.Further, the video image stimulation and the audio stimulation given tothe subject can be provided in synchronism with the measurement. In suchinstance, a measurement enhancing the measurement accuracy after givingthe stimulation and until detecting the reaction thereof can berealized. Further, as the video image stimulation other than the generalflashing stimulation, displays of a variety of picture images can beused.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of the sensestimulation unit in the biological optical measurement instrumentaccording to the embodiment 4, wherein 1401 shows a display portion,1402 a speaker, 1403 a flexible tube and 1404 a stand.

The display portion 1401 is, for example, constituted by a well knownliquid crystal display unit and at the bottom side of the liquid crystalunit the well know speaker 1402 which outputs audio sound is disposed.The display portion 1401, is attached to the stand 1404 via the flexibletube 1403. Accordingly, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, when usedtogether with the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 1 or2, it is possible to easily give a sense stimulation to the head portionof the subject, therefore, such measurement can be performed, forexample, for a newborn to which such measurement was conventionallyimpossible.

In the sense stimulation unit 1301 according to the embodiment 4, sincethe display portion 1401 and the stand 1404 are connected via theflexible tube 1403, such as position and angle of the display unit 1401with respect to the not shown subject can be easily modified.Accordingly, even when performing measurement for a variety of sizes ofthe head portions of the subjects and for a variety of measurementpostures, the display portion 1401 can be properly set with respect tothe subject.

In such instance, as has been explained above, the sense stimulationgiven to the newborn and the brain activity caused by the sensestimulation can be measured in synchronism, the diagnosis efficiency canbe enhanced.

Further, in the embodiment 4, only the illuminative stimulation andsound stimulation are given, however, the stimulation is not limitedthereto. For example, if a plurality kind of flavors are prepared inadvance which serve as bases of smells and any of the flavors are mixedand delivered from the front face of the display portion 1401 based onthe command from the information processing unit 106, a measurementsynchronous with the smell stimulation can be performed. Further, if aplurality kind of solutions are prepared in advance which serve as basesof tastes and any of the solutions are mixed and are fed to the subjectvia such as a tube provided at the front face of the display portion1401, a measurement synchronous with the taste stimulation can also beperformed.

Further, in the embodiment 4, for the display unit 1401 serving as ailluminative stimulation generating means a liquid crystal display unitis used, however, the display unit is not limited thereto, for example,such as a well known light bulb, a strobe device, a projector device anda back light device used for a liquid crystal device can, of course, beused. In particular, in case when performing a measurement for a subjectsuch as an infant, since it is difficult to draw attention of the infantto the display portion 1401, a light bulb, a strobe device and aprojector device are suitable which can emit light having comparativelyhigh capacity.

Further, although the stand 1404 is disposed at the flexible tube 1403in the embodiment 4, the present invention is not limited to suchstructure, for example, if a well known clump is disposed at an end ofthe flexible tube 1403, the clump can be easily attached such as to abed where a subject is laid and to a handrail disposed for the bed,thereby, an advantage that the display portion 1401 can be disposed atthe most proper position is obtained.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a part of ameasurement probe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 5 according to the present invention,wherein 1601 shows a guide rail and 1602 a belt. However, in thefollowing explanation, only the structure of the adjustable supportcolumn 204 will be explained which is different from that in themeasurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 1.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the measurement probe 101 according to theembodiment 5, a guide rail 1601 which is formed in parallel with thepillow base 208 is disposed at the other end of the adjustable supportcolumn 204. Further, the guide rail 1601 is formed so that the extendingdirection thereof is in parallel with the body axis of the subject 214,when the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment S is set forthe not shown subject 214. More specifically, among the pillow base 208formed in a U shape the guide rails 1601 are formed on the two sideplanes where the support columns 205 are formed.

On the guide rail 1601 a not shown belt hook portion which is movable inthe extending direction thereof is formed, and the belt hook portion ishooked to one of the holes 215 formed at the belt 1602. Like theembodiment 1, at one end of the belt 1602 the not shown shell plate 201is disposed and at the other end thereof a plurality of holes 215 areformed. Accordingly, also in the measurement probe 101 according to theembodiment S through supporting the other end of the belt 1602 the shellplate 201 is designed to be supported so as to permit rocking in backand forth and right and left, in that in the body axis direction of asubject and in the direction perpendicular to the body axis. Inparticular, in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 5,since the belts 1602 which hang the shell plate 201 supporting the headportion of the subject 214 at the both sides thereof are supported so asto permit movement in the body axis, a possible displacement of contactpositions between the optical fibers and the scalp in association withthe movement of the subject in the back and forth direction can be, inparticular, prevented.

Embodiment 6

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a measurementprobe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrument representingthe embodiment 6 according to the present invention, wherein 1701 showsa second subject fixing belt. However, in the following explanation,only the structure of the second subject fixing belt 1701 will beexplained which is different from that of the measurement probe 101 inthe embodiment 1.

As shown in FIG. 20, like the subject fixing belt 203 according to theembodiment 1, in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment6, the second subject fixing belt 1701 formed by a resin series materialhaving comparatively small elasticity.

In particular, in the embodiment 6, at one side with respect to holesdisposed at the both ends of the shell plate 201 and for passing thebelt 202 therethrough holes for passing the subject fixing belt 203 areformed and at the other side with respect thereto holes for passing thesecond subject fixing belt 1701 are formed. Accordingly, by means of themeasurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 6, for example, whenthe subject fixing belts 203 are passed at the side of the forehead ofthe subject 214 and the second subject fixing belts 1701 are passed atthe jaw of the subject 214, the shell plate 201 is fixed to the subject214 at two portions.

As a result, a possible displacement of the contact positions betweenthe optical fibers and the scalp due to displacement of the shell plate201 in association with a rocking of the subject 214 can be prevented.

Embodiment 7

FIGS. 21( a) and 21(b) are views for explaining a schematic structure ofa measurement probe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 7 according to the present invention, inparticular, FIG. 21( a) is a view for explaining a schematic structureof a variation of the probe casing 210 according to the embodiment 1 andFIG. 21( b) is a view for explaining a schematic structure of the probecasing and the probe holder according to the embodiment 7. However, inthe following explanation, only the structure of the probe casing andthe probe holder will be explained which is different from that in themeasurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 1.

As will be seen from FIG. 21( a), in the variation of the probe casing210 according to the embodiment 1, at the leading out position of theirradiation use or detection use optical fibers 107 and 108, forexample, a SUS pipe 1801 formed by a stainless steel is disposed. TheSUS pipe 1801 is, for example, bent by 90° and is designed to pass theirradiation use or detection use optical fiber 107 and 108 therethrough.Since the optical fibers 107 and 108 are designed to be covered by theSUS pipe 1801, with the variation of the probe casing 210 according tothe embodiment 1, when the measurement probe 101 is disposed at theocciput of the not shown subject, a possible damaging of the irradiationuse and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 due to an extremedistortion thereof is prevented.

On the other hand, in the embodiment 7 as shown in FIG. 21( b), at thetop end portion of irradiation use or detection use optical fiber 107and 108 a well known prism 1803 is disposed. The prism 1803 isconstituted in such a manner that an angle formed between one lightincident and emitting face and the other thereof forms 90° and the endportion of the irradiation use or detection use optical fiber 107, and108 is disposed at the other light incident and emitting face. The onelight incident and emitting face of the prism 1803 is disposed so as tocontact to the surface of the subject 214. Namely, the side of the onelight incident and emitting face of the prism 1803 is held by the probeholder 1802 according to the embodiment 7. Accordingly, the height H2 ofthe probe casing according to the embodiment 7 can be reduced lower thanthe height H1 of the probe casing according to the embodiment 1 and thevariation thereof. As a result, with the measurement probe 101 accordingto the embodiment 7, the height of the measurement probe 101 can belowered during the measurement, a load incurred to the subject 214 canbe reduced, when the measurement probe 101 is set at the occiput of thesubject 214.

Further, the angle formed by the one light incident and emitting facewith respect to the other of the prism 1803 is not limited to be 90°,but any angle can be, of course, used.

Embodiment 8

FIGS. 22( a) and 22(b) are views for explaining a schematic structure ofa measurement probe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 8 according to the present invention, inparticular, FIG. 22( a) is a perspective view of the measurement probe101 according to the embodiment 8 and FIG. 22( b) is a back side view ofthe measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 8. However, in thefollowing explanation, only the structure of the measurement probe 101will be explained which is different from that in the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 1.

In FIGS. 22( a) and 22(b), 1901 shows a shell plate, 1902 a firstroller, 1903 a second roller, 1904 a third roller, 1905 a casing and1906 ball type tires.

As will be seen from FIG. 22( a), in the measurement probe 101 accordingto the embodiment 8, among the side faces of the casing 1901 the firstroller 1902 and the second roller 1903 are respectively disposed atadjacent two sides thereof. Further, the third roller 1904 is disposedat a facing corner of two sides where the first and second rollers 1901and 1902 are not disposed.

In the embodiment 8, through placing the shell plate 1901 on the firstthrough third rollers 1902-1904, the shell plate 1901 is supported bythe three rollers of the first through third rollers 1902-1904. As aresult, with the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 8,since a movable freedom of the shell plate 1901 with respect to thecasing 1905 can be increased, a performance can be enhanced whichprevents displacement of contact positions between the optical fibersand the scalp caused by displacement of the shell plate 1901 inassociation with rocking of the subject 214.

Further, in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 8,since four well known ball type tires 1906 are respectively arranged atthe back face of the casing 1905, in a case where the not shown subject214 is positioned in lateral decubitus and the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 8 is set at the occiput, the measurementprobe 101 can perform follow-up displacement even when the subject 214displaces in parallel with the plane where the subject is placed. As aresult, a performance can be enhanced which prevents displacement ofcontact positions between the optical fibers and the scalp caused by adisplacement of the shell plate 1901 in association with rocking of thesubject 214.

Further, in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 8, theposition of the shell plate 1901 with respect to the casing 1905 isdesigned to be movable as well as the main body of the casing 1905itself is designed movable, however, the present invention is notlimited to such structure, for example, while eliminating the ball typetires 1906 and the shell plate 1901 can be, of course, modified movableonly with respect to the casing. Further, as in the previously explainedembodiment 3, it is, of course, possible to design to dispose the balltype tires at the back face of the casing 1905, while fixing the shellplate 1901 to the casing 1905.

Further, through a provision of a well known vertical movement mechanismin order to vertically move the first through third rollers 1902-1904,an angle of the shell plate 1901 with respect to a measurement positioncan be varied. Further, when displacing the first through third rollers1902-1904 in a same degree, the height of the shell plate 1901 can beadjusted in response to the height of the neck of the subject whichvaries depending on individual difference. Still further, through aprovision of a subject fixing belt at both ends of the shell plate 1901for fixing the subject 214 to the shell plate 1901, a performance can beenhanced which prevents displacement of contact positions between theoptical fibers and the scalp caused by a displacement of the shell plate1901 in association with rocking of the subject 214.

Embodiment 9

FIGS. 23( a) and 23(b) are views for explaining a schematic structure ofa measurement probe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 9 according to the present invention, inparticular, FIG. 23( a) is a perspective view of the measurement probe101 according to the embodiment 9 and FIG. 23( b) is a view forexplaining a detailed structure of a part of a shell plate 2104 in themeasurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 9. However, in thefollowing explanation, only the structure of the measurement probe 101will be explained which is different from that in the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 1.

In FIGS. 23( a) and 23(b), 2101 shows a casing, 2102 a quilt, 2103casing legs, and 2104 a shell plate.

As will be seen from FIG. 23( a), in the measurement probe 101 accordingto the embodiment 9, the casing 2101 is formed in a shape of a baby bed.Further, in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 9, inorder to limit the movement of the subject 214 placed in the casing2101, the quilt 2102 for covering the subject 214 is provided. In thisembodiment, for example, when providing means for fixing the quilt 2102to the casing 2101, the subject 214 can be fixed to the casing 2101.

Further, since four casing legs 2103 are disposed at the back face ofthe casing 2101, an easy turn-over of the casing is prevented, even ifthe subject moves.

Now, a detailed structure of the measurement probe 101 according to theembodiment 9 will be explained with reference to FIG. 23( b).

In the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 9, under thecondition when the subject is laid on its back, the shell plate 2104 isdisposed at the position corresponding to the occiput. To the shellplate 2104 the subject fixing belt 2105 for fixing the head portion ofthe subject 214 is disposed and, like the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 1, the subject fixing belt 2105 is designedto apply the fore head of the subject 214. Further, the probe holders,for example, as, shown in the embodiment 1 are disposed to the shellplate 2104 and respective probe casings are designed to be attached tothe probe holders.

In the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 9, by formingthe casing 2101 in a shape of a baby bed, the movement of the subject isrestricted as well as after disposing the shell plate 2104 at a positioncorresponding to the occiput or other measurement position, the shellplate 2104 can be fixed to the head portion of the subject by thesubject fixing belt 2105, thereby, a possible displacement of thecontact positions between the optical fibers and the scalp can beprevented.

Embodiment 10

FIGS. 24( a) and 24(b) are views for explaining a schematic structure ofa measurement probe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 10 according to the present invention, inparticular, FIG. 24( a) is a view for explaining a schematic structureof the measurement probe 101 for only covering the head portion of asubject and FIG. 24( b) is a view for explaining a schematic structureof the measurement probe 101 for covering the upper half body of thesubject. However, in the following explanation, only the structure ofthe measurement probe 101 will be explained which is different from thatin the biological optical, measurement instrument according to theembodiment 1.

In FIG. 24( a), 2201 shows a shell plate, 2202 a subject fixing belt,and 2203 a jaw use plate.

As will be seen from FIG. 24( a), in the measurement probe 101 accordingto the embodiment 10, the shell plate 2201 is formed in a cap shape, andas the material therefor, for example, cloth or rubber is used. To thisshell plate 2201, like the shell plate according to the embodiment 1,probe holders 211 are disposed and through attachment of the probecasing 210 to the respective probe holders 211 the top end portions ofthe irradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 aredesigned to be contacted to the epiderm (skin surface) of the subject214. Further, in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment10, since the shell plate 2201 is formed so as to cover the hair portionof the subject 214, a restriction performance of the lower portion ofthe shell plate 2201, in that the portion thereof disposed at a positionnear the neck of the subject 214 is enhanced, and further, in order toprevent displacement of contact positions between the optical fibers andthe epiderm the subject fixing belt 2202 is disposed at the lowerportion of the shell plate 2201. However, since it is necessary to applythe subject fixing belt 2202 to the jaw portion of the subject 214, thesubject fixing belt 2202 is required to prevent a possible displacementas well as required to reduce uncomfortable feeling would be caused tothe subject 214. For this purpose, in the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 10, the jaw use plate 2203 is disposed at anintermediate portion of subject fixing belt 2202 where the jaw of thesubject 214 touches.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 24( b), when the shell plate 2204 isformed like a suit of which the subject 214 can wear, since a possiblepositional displacement between portion forming the shell plate 2204where the probe holders 211 are disposed and the subject 214 can beprevented, a possible displacement of the contact positions between theoptical fibers and the scalp can be prevented.

Further, in case when forming the shell plates 2201 and 2204 by a cloth,by making use of a stretchable cloth a contacting property of theirradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 onto thesurface of the subject, in that a performance of preventing contactposition displacement between the optical fibers and the epiderm can beenhanced.

Further, in a case when the measurement probe 101 is formed in a suitshape as shown in FIG. 24( b), when an opening and closing portion isprovided while disposing there such as a zipper, the attachment anddetachment of the measurement probe 101 is facilitated.

Embodiment 11

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a measurementprobe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrument representingthe embodiment ii according to the present invention, wherein 2301 showsa pillow base, 2302 side support columns, 2303 a horizontal supportcolumn, 2304 a jaw keeper, 2305 a horizontal belt and 2306 a shellplate. However, in the following explanation, only the structure of themeasurement probe 101 will be explained which is different from that inthe biological optical measurement instrument according to theembodiment 1.

As will be seen from FIG. 25, the measurement probe 101 according to theembodiment 11 is constituted by a restriction member which restricts thesubject at a predetermined position and an optical fiber fixing memberwhich fixes the top end portions of the not shown irradiation use anddetection use optical fibers 107 and 108 at a measurement portion of thesubject 214 being restricted by the restriction member.

As will be seen from FIG. 25, the restriction member according to theembodiment 11 is formed by combining respectively the two pillow bases2301 and the two side support columns 2302 in T shape, and by couplingthe side support columns 2302 with the horizontal support column 2303while facing the same each other. In this instance, in the restrictionmember according to the embodiment 11 the jaw keeper 2304 for fixing thejaw of the subject 214 is disposed at the horizontal support column2303, thereby, the position of the head portion is designed to the fixedwhen the subject 214 is restricted. Further, in the restriction memberaccording to the embodiment 11, a not shown restriction use belt forrestricting the subject 214 to the restriction member is disposed. Stillfurther, in the restriction member in the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 11, the horizontal belt 2305 is bridgedbetween the two side support columns 232 and the shell plate 2306 isattached to the horizontal belt 2305. Further, since the structure ofthe shell plate 2306 is constituted like the shell plate according tothe embodiment 1, the detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

In particular, in the restriction member in the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 11, through the provision of the tworestriction belts, in that the head portion restriction belt restrictingthe head portion of the subject 214 and the trunk restriction beltrestricting the body portion of the subject to the horizontal, supportcolumn, the restriction performance can be enhanced.

Further, when a cushion material is disposed on the respective surfacesof the pillow base 2301, the side support columns 2302 and thehorizontal support column 2303 which constitute the restriction memberaccording to the embodiment 11, a sense of strangeness can be reduced,when the subject is restricted to the restriction member.

Embodiment 12

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a measurementprobe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrument representingthe embodiment 12 according to the present invention, wherein 2401 showsa shell plate, 2402 adjustable support columns, 2403 horizontal supportcolumns, 2404 horizontal adjustment screws and 2405 hook pins.

However, in the following explanation, only the structure of themeasurement probe 101 will be explained which is different from that inthe biological optical measurement instrument according to theembodiment 1.

As will be seen from FIG. 26, the measurement probe 101 according to theembodiment 12, like the measurement probe 101 according to theembodiment 1, is constituted by a shell plate 2401 serving as an opticalfiber fixing member and a supporting member which supports in a hangingmanner the shell plate 2401 and the head portion of the subject 214supported by the shell plate 2401.

The shell plate 2401 according to the embodiment 12 is constituted by acloth having a flexibility and a predetermined strength, for example,such a cloth formed from a polyester and a vinyl leather. At the bothends of the shell plate 2401 respectively one piece of hole is formedand through fitting the hook pins 2405 attached at the respective endsof the horizontal support column 2403 to these holes the shell plate2401 is supported in a hanging manner. Further, the details of the shellplate 2401 according to the embodiment 12 will be explained later.

The supporting member according to the embodiment 12, like thesupporting member according to the embodiment 1, at the upper faces ofthe opposing two sides of the pillow base 208 formed in a U shape thesupport columns 205 extending upward are respectively attached. In eachof the support column 205 a cylindrical hole is formed along theextending direction thereof and an adjustment screw 207 is disposedwhich is directed from the side face of the support column 205 to thecenter thereof.

Now, the portion which is different from that in the embodiment 1 willbe explained with reference to FIG. 26.

One end of the adjustment support column 2402 according to theembodiment 12 is formed in a circular column so as to permit insertionthereof into the hole provided in the support column 205. On the otherhand, at the other end of the adjustment support column 2402 a circularcolumn shaped hole is formed in the direction perpendicular to theextending direction thereof and the horizontal adjustment screw 2404directing the center of the circular column shaped hole is disposed fromthe upper portion of the adjustable support column 2402. Into the holeformed in the adjustable support column 2402 the horizontal supportcolumn 2403 is passed so as to permit movement thereof in the centeraxis direction, in that the extending direction of the horizontalsupport column 2403. However, in the measurement probe 101 according tothe embodiment 12 the movement of the horizontal support column 2403 islimited by fastening the horizontal adjustment screw 2404, namely, theinterval between the opposingly disposed horizontal support columns 2403is designed to be set as desired.

Thus, in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 12, sinceby making use of the cloth having a width capable of covering the headportion of the subject 214 for the shell plate 2401, the both ends ofthe shell plate 2401 are supported in a hanging manner by the supportingmember, even if the subject moves, a possible displacement of thecontact positions between the optical fibers and the scalp can beprevented.

FIGS. 27( a) and 27(b) are views for explaining a detailed structure ofthe shell plate 2401 according to the embodiment 12, in particular, FIG.27( a) is a front view for explaining the detailed structure of theshell plate 2401 and FIG. 27( b) is a side view for explaining thedetailed structure of the shell plate 2401.

As shown in FIG. 27( a), the shell plate 2401 according to themeasurement 12 is formed so as to wrap the head portion of the subject214. At the center portion of the shell plate 2401 not shown probesockets (holder) are disposed and when performing a measurement under acondition where the subject 214 is laid on its back, it is designed sothat the top end portions of the probe casings 210, in that the top endportions of the irradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107 and108 contact to the occiput of the subject 214.

Further, as shown in FIG. 27( b), at the both end portions of the shellplate 2401 holes 2406 are provided which permit fitting to the hook pins2405 attached to the respective one ends of the horizontal supportcolumns 2403 and in order to increase the strength of the holes 2406 awell known enforcement 2407 is provided for the respective holes 2406.

FIGS. 28( a) through 31(b) are views for explaining a relationshipbetween the position of biological optical measurement and the positionof the probe holders, in particular, FIGS. 28( a), 29(a), 30(a) and31(a) are views for explaining the positions of the probe holders formedat the shell plate 2401, and FIGS. 28( b), 29(b), 30(b) and 31(b) areviews for explaining a relationship of the position of biologicaloptical measurement and the posture of the subject.

As shown in FIG. 28( a), through disposing 4×4 pieces of probe holders211 at the center portion of the shell plate 2401, a shell plate 2401which is suitable for a biological optical measurement of the occiput ofthe subject 214 can be constituted. When performing a biological opticalmeasurement by making use of the shell plate 2401 as shown in FIG. 28(a), by supporting in a hanging manner the head portion of the subject214 upwardly as shown in FIG. 28( b), the top end portions of the probecasings 210 disposed at the respective probe holders 211, in that thetop end portions of the not shown irradiation use and detection useoptical fibers 107 and 108 can be contacted to the occiput of thesubject 214.

As shown in FIG. 29( a), through disposing 3×3 pieces of probe holders211 at the right and left portions of the shell plate 2401, a shellplate 2401 which is suitable for simultaneous measurement of right andleft temples of the subject 214 can be constituted. When performing abiological optical measurement by making use of the shell plate 2401 asshown in FIG. 29( a), by supporting in a hanging manner the head portionof the subject 214 upwardly as shown in FIG. 29( b), the top endportions of the probe casings 210 disposed at the respective probeholders 211, in that the top end portions of the not shown irradiationuse and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 can be contacted to theright and left temples of the subject 214 at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 30( a), through disposing 2×4 pieces of probe holders211 at the right and left portions of the shell plate 2401, a shellplate 2401 which is suitable for simultaneous measurement of thesinciput and the occiput of the subject 214 can be constituted. Whenperforming a biological optical measurement by making use of the shellplate 2401 as shown in FIG. 30( a), by supporting in a hanging mannerthe head portion of the subject 214 sideways as shown in FIG. 30( b),the top end portions of the probe casings 210 disposed at the respectiveprobe holders 211, in that the top end portions of the not shownirradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 can becontacted to the sinciput and occiput of the subject 214 at the sametime.

As shown in FIG. 31( a), through disposing 2×2 pieces of probe holders211 at the right and left portions of the shell plate 2401 as well as2×4 pieces of probe holders 211 at the center of the shell plate 2401, ashell plate 2401 which is suitable for simultaneous measurement ofsinciput and the occiput of the subject 214 can be constituted. Whenperforming a biological optical measurement by making use of the shellplate 2401 as shown in FIG. 31( a), by supporting in a hanging mannerthe head portion of the subject 214 upwardly as shown in FIG. 31( b),the top end portions of the probe casings 210 disposed at the respectiveprobe holders 211, in that the top end portions of the not shownirradiation use and detection use optical fibers 107 and 108 can becontacted to the sinciput and occiput of the subject 214 at the sametime. However, when using the shell plate 2401 as shown in FIG. 31( a),even if the head portion of the subject 214 is supported in a hangingmanner downwardly, the top end portions of the probe casings 210disposed at the respective probe holders 211, in that the top endportions of the not shown irradiation use and detection use opticalfibers 107 and 108 can be contacted to the sinciput and occiput of thesubject 214 at the same time.

Thus, by means of the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment12, through modifying the arrangement patterns and arrangement positionsof the probe holders 211, the measurement portions can be easily varied.Accordingly, if a plurality kind of shell plates 211 of whicharrangement patterns and arrangement positions of the probe holders 211are varied are prepared in advance, and a proper shell plate 2401 isselected depending on the measurement portion and the size of the headportion of the subject 214, a variety of biological optical measurementwhich meets a variety of postures and the measurement positions can beperformed.

FIGS. 32( a) and 32(b) are views for explaining other structuralexamples of a measurement probe 101 according to embodiment 12, inparticular, FIG. 32( a) is a view for explaining a schematic structureof another shell plate 2401 according to the embodiment 12 and FIG. 32(b) is a view for explaining a schematic structure of still another shellplate 2401 according to the embodiment 12.

Like the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 1, themeasurement probe 101 making use of the shell plate 2401 according tothe embodiment 12 as shown in FIG. 32( a) is provided with a pluralityof holes 2406 in the extending direction of the shell plate 2401 so thatfreedom and hanging height of the shell plate 2401 when supporting in ahanging manner the head portion can be adjusted.

The shell plate 2401 as shown in FIG. 32( b) is formed in such a mannerthat when the shell plate 2401 is wound around the head portion of thesubject 214 in a crossing manner, the unnecessary crossing portionsthereof are removed. Through the removal of the crossing portions of theshell plate 2401, a possible twist of the shell plate 2401 inassociation with the crossing can be prevented. As a result, a possibledisplacement of the measurement positions in association with the twistcan be prevented.

Further, in order not to operate as obstacles when providing such aslight stimulation, the shell plate 2401 according to the embodiment 12is, of course, formed so as not to shield the eyes of the subject 214.Still further, it is, of course, necessary to draw attention on thispoint when setting the subject 214 to the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 12.

Further, in the measurement probe, 101 according to the embodiment 12the horizontal support column 2403 of circular column shape is used,however, the shape, of the horizontal support column is not limitedthereto, for example, if a horizontal support column of prism shape isused, an advantage of preventing rotation of the support column itselfwhen adjusting the let-out amount of the horizontal support column 2403can be achieved. Another measure for preventing rotation of thehorizontal support column 2403 is realized in such a method in whichwhile providing a convex portion and/or concave portion along theextending direction of the horizontal support column 2403 formed in acircular column shape and a concave portion and/or a convex portion isfurther formed in the hole provided for the adjustable support column2402 so as to fit the convex portion and/or the concave portion of thehorizontal support column 2403. Further, the cross sectionalconfiguration of the horizontal support column 2403 can be formed suchas in an elliptical shape and in a combined shape of circle and straightline as well as the hole configuration provided in the adjustablesupport column 2402 can be formed so as to correspond to the shape ofthe horizontal support column 2403.

Further, in the embodiment 12, the shell plate 2401 is constituted sothat the both ends thereof are respectively supported at one position,however, the present invention is not limited to such structure, forexample, as shown in FIG. 33, the supporting member is constituted insuch a manner that after providing a second horizontal support column3101 in perpendicular to the horizontal support columns 2403 at each oneend thereof, a plurality of hook pins 2405 are provided along therespective second horizontal support columns 3101. On the other hand,the shell plate 3102 is constituted in such a manner that the width H ofthe both end portions of the shell plate 3102 matches to the length ofthe second horizontal support column 3101 and a plurality of holes 2406are formed at the both ends of the shell plate 3102 along the widthdirection thereof so as to permit hooking to the respective hook pins2405. In the present embodiment through hooking the respective holes2406 into the corresponding hook pins 2405, it is possible to enhancestability of the subject 214 in the body axis during measurement.However, the structure of the shell plate 3102 is substantially the sameas the previously explained shell plate 2401 other than the elongatedwidth H at the both ends and the provision of the plurality of holes2406 therein.

Further, as shown in FIG. 34, the shell plate 3201 can, of course, beused simply by hooking to the support member according to the embodiment1 without winding the same around the head portion of the subject 214.

Embodiment 13

FIG. 35 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a measurementprobe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrument representingthe embodiment 13 according to the present invention, wherein 3301 showsa shell plate, 3302 a forehead fixing band, 3303 a back side belt, 3304a first front side belt, 3305 a second front side belt and 3306 a bodyband.

The measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 13 is constitutedby the shell plate 3301, the forehead fixing band 3302 of whichrespective ends are disposed at the upper end portions of the shellplate 3301, the first front side belt 3304 and the second front sidebelt 3305 of which respective one ends are fixed to the forehead fixingband 3302, the back side belt 3303 of which one end is disposed at thelower end portion of the shell plate 3301 and the body belt 3306 towhich other ends of the first and second front side belts 3304 and 3305and the back side belt 3303 are fixed.

As shown in FIG. 35, when attaching the measurement probe 101 accordingto the embodiment 13, the forehead fixing band 3302 is attached to theforehead of the subject 214 and the body belt 3306 is attached aroundthe chest of the subject 214. At this instance, the first and secondfront side belts 3304 and 3305 are arranged so as to cross each other atthe lower portion of the jaw, in that at the throat of the subject 214,thereby, a possible loosening of the first and second front side belts3304 and 3305, when the subject 214 moves the head portion, can beabsorbed.

Although in the measurement probe 101 according to the embodiment 13 abody harness type measurement probe is used in which the other ends ofthe first and second front side belts 3304 and 3305 and the back sidebelt 3303 are fixed to the body belt 3306, however, the presentinvention is not limited to such type, for example, as shown in FIG. 36,a chin guard type measurement probe can, of course, be used in which achin use plate 3401 to be disposed at the chin of the subject isprovided, and to the chin use plate 3401 ends of two front side belts3402 extending from the forehead fixing belt 3302 and ends of right andleft two back side belts 3403 attached to the lower end portions of theshell plate 3301 are fixed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 37, when performing measurement of right andleft side head portions of the subject 214, shell plates 3501 arrangedright and left respectively are coupled by two coupling belts 3502arranged at the upper portion thereof. On the other hand, at the lowerportions of the shell plates 3504 one ends of a front side belt 3503 anda back side belt 3504 are fixed. The other ends of the front side belt3503 and the back side belt 3504 are respectively fixed to a body belt3505 which is attached to the chest of the subject 214. At thisinstance, the front side belts 3503 from the right and left shell plates3501 are arranged so as to cross each other under the chin of thesubject 214. The back side belts 3504 from the right and left shellplates 3501 are likely arranged so as to cross each other at the backportion of the subject 214. In particular, when disposing the shellplates 3501 at the side head portion, through the respective crossingsof the front side belts 3503 and the back side belts 3504, an advantagewhich prevents floating of the right and left shell plates 3501 from theepiderm of the subject 214 can be achieved.

Still further, when arranging a shell plate 3301 at the occiput of thesubject 214, as shown in FIG. 38, one ends of back side belts 3601 whichare fixed at the lower portions of the shell plate 3301 can be fixed toa body belt 3602 attached to the chest of the subject 214. At thisinstance, it is likely preferable to cross the back side belts 3601 eachother at the back portion of the subject 214.

Embodiment 14

FIG. 39 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a hairavoiding jig in the embodiment 14 according to the present invention,wherein 3701 shows a holder portion, 3702 a switch, 3703 a guide and3704 a battery cover.

As shown in FIG. 39, the hair avoiding jig according to the embodiment14 is constituted by the holder portion 3701 and the guide 3703extending from the holder portion 3701.

In the holder portion 3701, not shown battery and light source arebuilt-in and at the side face of the holder portion 3701 the switch 3702is disposed. Further, at the back face of the holder portion 3701 thebattery cover 3704 is disposed, and through opening and closing of thebattery cover an exchange of the battery is performed.

The guide 3703 is formed of a well known transparent plastic material ina shape of circular column or prism and one end thereof is disposedadjacent the light source to be built-in in the holder portion 3701.Thereby, light emitted from the light source passes through the guide3703 and is irradiated from the other end thereof.

Further, the guide 3703 in the hair avoiding jig according to theembodiment 14 is bent near the end, in that near the top end thereof.Accordingly, even when performing hair avoiding while positioning thehair avoiding jig in parallel with the epiderm at the hair avoidingwork, with the contacting angle to the epiderm of the top end portion ofthe guide 3703, the efficiency of hair avoiding work is enhanced.

Still further, as another hair avoiding jig, a well known air blower3801 can be used. When performing hair avoiding by making use of the airblower 3801, as shown in FIG. 40, through injecting compressed air froma cut-out portion, of the holder 211 in the arrowed direction, a hair isavoided by the wind velocity.

Embodiment 15

FIG. 41 is view for explaining a schematic structure of a probe casingand a probe holder in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 15 according to the present invention,wherein 3901 shows a probe casing, 3902 an air hose and 3903 an airinjection port. However, in the following explanation, only thestructure of the probe casing 3901 will be explained which is differentfrom that in the biological optical measurement instrument according tothe embodiment 1.

As shown in FIG. 41, at the top end portion of the probe casing 3901according to the embodiment 15 the air injection port 3902 serving asthe compressed air injecting port is formed. Further, at the other endside of the probe casing 3901 the air hose 3902 which supplies thecompressed air to the probe casing 3901 is disposed in addition to theirradiation use or detection use optical fiber 107 or 108. The air hose3902 is connected to a not shown compressor and supplies compressed airproduced by the compressor to the probe casing 3901.

Accordingly, when attaching the probe casing 3901 to the probe holder211 to be disposed at the shell plate attached to the not shown headportion of the subject 214, since the compressed air is injected in thearrowed direction, a possible hair existing at the top end portion ofthe probe casing 3901, in that at the top end portion of the opticalfiber is to be avoided by the wind velocity. Namely, with the probecasing 3901 according to the embodiment 15, the hair avoiding can beeffected without using the aforementioned hair avoiding use jig,thereby, work efficiency of biological optical measurement can beenhanced.

Further, since the hair avoiding is required at the time of attachingthe probe casing 3901, the high velocity air supply from the airinjection port 3903 can be interrupted by stopping operation of the notshown compressor during measurement.

Embodiment 16

FIGS. 42( a) and 42(b) are views for explaining a schematic structure ofa measurement probe 101 in a biological optical measurement instrumentrepresenting the embodiment 16 according to the present invention, inparticular, FIG. 42( a) is a side view for explaining a schematicstructure of a probe casing according to the present embodiment 16 andFIG. 42( b) is a perspective view for explaining a schematic structureof a probe holder according to the embodiment 16. However, in thefollowing explanation, only the structure of a probe casing 4001 and aprobe holder 4004 will be explained which is different from that in thebiological optical measurement instrument according to the embodiment 1.

In FIGS. 42( a) and 42(b), 4001 shows a probe casing, 4002 a stopperclaw, 4003 a release button, 4004 a probe holder and 4005 a fixinggroove.

As will be seen from FIG. 42( a), the probe casing 4001 according to theembodiment 16 is provided with the two stopper claws 4002 positionednear the top end of the casing main body. The stopper claws 4002 areinterlocked with the release buttons 4003 disposed near the bottomportions of the probe casing 4001 and the stopper claws 4002 areconstituted in such a manner that when the release buttons 4003 arepushed toward the center axis direction of the probe casing 4001, thestopper claws 4002 are pulled into the probe casing 4001. Further, thestopper claws 4002 are formed in such a manner that the projectionamount in the projecting portion thereof from the probe casing 4001gradually increases from the top end side to the bottom end side.Further, a detailed structure of the stopper claws 4002 and the releasebuttons 4003 will be explained later.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 42( b), along the innercircumference of the probe holder 4004 the fixing groove 4005 having apredetermined width is formed, and when the probe casing 4001 isinserted into the probe holder 4004, the stopper claws 4002 are fittedinto the fixing groove 4005 to thereby fix the probe casing 4001.

In such instance, in the probe casing 4001 according to the embodiment16 since an inclination is formed on the stopper claws 4002 in such amanner that the projection amount in projecting portion thereofgradually increases in the direction from the top end to bottom end, anattachment work of the probe casing 4001 can be performed withoutmanipulating the release buttons 4003 during insertion of the probecasing 4001, thereby, attachment efficiency can be enhanced.

Now, FIG. 43 shows a vertical cross sectional side view of the probecasing 4001 according to the embodiment 16, and hereinbelow thestructure of the probe casing 4001 will be explained with reference toFIG. 43.

As shown in FIG. 43, in the probe casing 4001 a stopper member 4006 isdisposed at one end of which the stopper claws 4002 are formed and atthe other end of which the release buttons 4003 are formed. At one endof the stopper member 4006 one end of a spring 4007 is secured of whichother end is secured to the probe casing 4001.

As will be seen from the above, in the probe casing 4001 according tothe embodiment 16, since the stopper claw 4002 and the release button4003 are integrated, when the release button 4003 is pushed in, thestopper claw 4002 is also retreated and the probe casing 4001 isreleased from the probe holder 4004.

Further, in the embodiment 16, the stopper claws 4002 are provided atthe side of the probe casing 4001, however, the present invention doesnot limited to such structure, the stopper claws 4002 can, of course, beprovided at the side of the probe holder 4004.

Still further, in the embodiment 16, the bottom end portion of thestopper claw 4002 is formed to be perpendicular to the center axis ofthe probe casing 4001, however, likely, the present invention does notlimited to such structure, for example, the stopper claws 4002 can, ofcourse, be formed in such a manner that the projection amount graduallydecreases. In such instance, through properly adjusting the inclinationangle of the stopper claws 4002, when a force more than a predeterminedamount is applied to an optical fiber disposed at the top end of theprobe casing 4001, the probe casing 4001 can be automatically taken outfrom the probe holder 4004, thereby, an advantage which preventsdamaging of the top end portion of the optical fiber can be achieved.

Embodiment 17

FIG. 44 is a vertical cross sectional side-view of a probe casing in abiological optical measurement instrument representing the embodiment 17according to the present invention, wherein 4201 shows a probe casing,4202 a pressure sensor, 4203 a sensor cable, 501 a a movable portion and501 b a spring. However, in the following explanation, only thestructure of the probe casing 4001 will be explained which is differentfrom that in the biological optical measurement instrument according tothe embodiment 1.

In FIG. 44, the pressure sensor 4204 is a well known pressure sensorwhich detects pressure applied onto the spring mechanism 501 and thedetected output is outputted to the information processing unit 106 viathe sensor cable 4203.

Now, the structure of the probe 4201 according to the embodiment 17 willbe explained with reference to FIG. 44.

Like the probe casing 210 as shown in the embodiment 1, in the innercircumferential portion of the probe casing 4201 according to theembodiment 17 the spring mechanism 501 constituted by the spring 501 band the movable portion 501 a one end of which is fixed to the spring501 b is disposed. An irradiation use or detection use optical fiber 107or 108 is secured to the movable portion 501 a.

On the other hand, the other end of the spring 501 b is fixed to thepressure sensor 4202 which is secured at the inner circumferential faceof the probe casing 4201.

To the pressure sensor 4202 one end of the sensor cable 4203 isconnected which is led out from a not shown cable leading out portformed in the probe casing 4201 and the other end of which is connectedthe information processing unit 106.

Accordingly, under a condition in which the probe casing 4201 isattached to a not shown subject 214, the top end portions of the opticalfibers 107 and 108 are pressed onto the scalp of the subject 214 throughthe force pushing out the optical fibers 107 and 108 by the springmechanism 501. Namely, under the condition in which when the probecasing 4201 is attached to the not shown shell plate being attached tothe subject 214 and the top end portions of the optical fibers 107 and108 are contacted to the epiderm at the measurement position, the spring501 b keeps a compressed condition.

As a result, the pressure applied to the pressure sensor 4202 rises andthe detection value is outputted to the information processing unit 106.

Through monitoring the pressure applied to the probe casing 4201 by theinformation processing unit 106, it is easily monitored whether the topend portions of the optical fibers 107 and 108 are contacted onto thesurface of the subject 214. Accordingly, an erroneous measurement due topoor attachment of the measurement probe 101 can be reduced. Further,number of repeating measurement due to erroneous measurement can bereduced which can enhance diagnosis efficiency.

Further, through provision in the information processing unit 106 of alight intensity correcting means which corrects a living body passinglight intensity representing measurement data based on the measurementpressure value, measurement error can be suppressed minimum whichdepends on blood flow variation and difference of passing light transferefficiency from the scalp to the optical fibers 107 and 108 caused bypressing the epiderm by the optical fibers 107 and 108 which variesdepending on the contacting degree of the optical fibers 107 and 108 onto the epiderm. A relationship between the pressure and the correctionamount can be determined such as experiments for every measurementportion and every shape of measurement probe 101.

Embodiment 18

FIG. 45 is a perspective view for explaining a schematic constitution ofa probe casing used for a measurement probe in a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing the embodiment 18 according to thepresent invention, FIG. 46 is a vertical cross sectional view forexplaining the structure of the probe casing before attachment thereofof the embodiment 18 according to the present invention and FIG. 47 is avertical cross sectional view for explaining the structure of the probecasing at the time of attachment thereof of the embodiment 18 accordingto the present invention. However, in the following explanation, onlythe structure of the probe casing 4301 and the probe holder 4308 will beexplained which is different from that in the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 1.

In FIG. 45 through FIG. 47, 4301 shows a probe causing, 4302 a guideslit, 4303 a sliding claw, 4304 a cover, 4305 a sliding member, 4306 ajoint, 4307 a spring and 4308 a probe holder. Hereinbelow, the probecasing 4301 according to the embodiment 18 will be explained withreference to FIG. 45 through FIG. 47.

As will be seen from FIG. 45, the probe casing 4301 according to theembodiment 18 is provided with a shutter mechanism constituted by 4pieces of covers 4304 disposed at the top end portions of the probecasing 4301 and 4 pieces of sliding claws 4303 disposed at the outercircumference thereof. The 4 pieces of covers 4304 function to cover theoptical fiber projecting from the top end portion of the probe casing4301. The respective covers 4304 are coupled with the respectivecorresponding sliding claws 4303 and through the displacement of thesliding claws 4303, the respective covers 4304 are stored within theprove casing 4301. However, the displacement of the sliding claws 4303is limited by the guide slits 4302 formed in parallel with the centeraxis direction of the probe casing 4301.

Now, the shutter mechanism according to the embodiment 18 will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47.

As shown in FIG. 46, in the embodiment 18, the sliding members 4305 aredisposed in the probe casing 4301 along the respective guide slits 4302.At one end of the sliding member 4305 a well known joint 4306 isattached and at the other end thereof the sliding claw 4303 is formed.The cover 4304 is attached to the joint 4306, through sliding thesliding member 4305 in the arrowed direction the cover 4304 opens and isstored in the probe casing 4306. At respective joints 4306 a not shownwell known spring is disposed for closing the respective covers 4304.

At the other end of the sliding member 4305 the well known spring 4307is disposed, one end of the spring 4307 is fixed to the sliding member4305 and the other end thereof is fixed to the end portion of the guideslit 4302 formed on the outer circumference of the probe casing 4301.Accordingly, a spring force is always applied to the sliding member 4305in the direction opposite to the arrowed direction.

On the other hand, on the inner circumferential face of the probe holder4308 according to the embodiment 18 a step is formed as shown in FIG.47. Namely, the probe holder 4308 is constituted in such a manner thatone inner circumferential diameter at the side where the not shownsubject 214 is laid is formed at L1 so as to permit insertion of themain body portion of the probe casing 4301 and another innercircumferential diameter at the remote side from the subject 214 isformed at L2 so as to permit insertion of the portion of the slidingclaw 4303. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 47, when inserting the probecasing 4301 into the probe holder 4308, the sliding claw 4303 is causedto be slided in the arrowed direction at the step portion of the innercircumferential diameters L1 and L2, thereby, the covers 4304 are openedand the top end of the optical fiber is exposed.

As will be apparent from the above, with the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 18 only when the probe casing 4301 isinserted (attached) into the probe holder 4308, the covers 4304 in theshutter mechanism are opened and the top end portion of the opticalfiber is exposed, thereby, a possible irradiation of laser beams isprevented at the time of non-attachment thereof. Accordingly, attachmentand detachment of the main body of the measurement probe 101 and theprobe casing 4301 can be performed without interrupting the output ofthe not shown modulated semiconductor laser 102. As a result, diagnosisefficiency in biological optical measurement can be enhanced.

Further, in the embodiment 18, the covers 4304 in the shutter mechanismprotrude in front of the optical fiber and cover the optical fiber,however, the present invention is not limited to such structure, forexample, the shutter mechanism can, of course, be constituted in such amanner that the optical fiber is caused to be retreated into the probecasing and the covers cover the top end portion of the optical fiber.

Embodiment 19

FIGS. 48( a) and 48(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a light beam shielding mask representing the embodiment 19 accordingto the present invention and FIGS. 49( a) and 49(b) are views forexplaining a schematic constitution of a measurement probe 101 theembodiment 19 according to the present invention. In particular, FIG.48( a) is a perspective view of the light shielding mask according tothe embodiment 19, FIG. 48( b) is a view for explaining an attachmentstate of the light shielding mask, FIG. 49( a) is a perspective view forexplaining a schematic structure of the measurement probe 101 accordingto the embodiment 19 and FIG. 49( b) is a back side view for explaininga schematic structure of the measurement probe 101 according to theembodiment 19.

In FIGS. 48( a), 48(b), 49(a) and 49(b), 4601 shows a light shieldingmask, 4602 a light shielding member, 4603 a cushion member, 4604 afixing member, 4605 an air inlet port, 4701 a shell plate and 4702-4705fixing belts.

As will be seen from FIG. 48( a) as the light shielding mask 4601according to the embodiment 19 a material such as plastics having alarge absorption of near infrared rays is used and the light shieldingmember 4602 is formed by molding such material in a comical shape. Atthe end portion of the light shielding member 4602 in order to reducefeeling of strangeness when the mask is attached, material such asrubber, sponge and vinyl leather cushion filling sponge therein isdisposed as the cushion member. Further, the cushion member 4603functions to prevent a gap generation between the light shielding member4601 and the head portion of the subject 214 caused by such asunevenness of human faces having large individual differences.

Further, at end portions of the light shielding member 4602 a well knownfixing member 4604 is provided which is used for fixing the concernedlight shielding mask onto the head portion of the subject 214. Thefixing member 4604 according to the embodiment 19 is constituted by anexpandable band which is to be bridged between opposing end positions ofthe light shielding member 4602. It is, of course, necessary to arrangethe fixing member 4604 at a position which never interferes themeasurement portion. For this purpose, a well know sliding mechanismwhich permits vertical displacement of the attachment position of thefixing member 4604 can be provided at the end portions of the lightshielding member 4602. Alternatively, a plurality of light shieldingmasks 4601 having different attachment positions can be prepared so asto permit free selection thereof depending on the concerned measurementposition.

A plurality of holes which serve as air inlets 4605 are formed at thesurface of the light shielding member 4602. The air inlet ports 4605 areformed at a position which corresponds to the mouth of the subject 214at the time of attachment thereof as shown in FIG. 48( b). Thereby, apossible load caused to the subject 214 is reduced.

As will be seen from FIG. 48( b), the attachment position of the lightshielding mask 4601 according to the embodiment 19 is the head portionof the subject 214, therefore, through attaching the same so that thelight shielding member 4602 covers the face, direct irradiation of nearinfrared light onto the face at the time of attachment and detachment ofthe not shown probe casing can be prevented.

Now, the structure of the measurement probe 101 for measurement of sidehead portion according to the embodiment 19 will be explained withreference to FIGS. 49( a) and 49(b).

As will be seen from FIGS. 49( a) and 49(b), the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 19 is constituted by two pieces of shellplates 4701 on which not shown probe holders are disposed and by firstthrough fourth fixing belts 4702, 4703, 4704 and 4705 which serve toattach the shell plates 4701 to the subject 214. Further, atpredetermined positions on the respective shell plates 4701 the notshown probe holders are disposed.

The first belt 4702 is arranged at the top head portion, the second belt4703 is arranged at the chin portion, the third belt 4704 is arranged atthe back head portion and the fourth belt 4705 is arranged at the faceside. At this instance, in the embodiment 19, when attaching themeasurement probe 101 to the subject 2 i 4 to which the light shieldingmask 4601 is attached as shown in FIG. 49( a), the fourth belt 4705 hasto be fasten over the light shielding mask 4601, therefore, the lengththereof has to be determined in view of the light shielding member 4602.

As will be seen from FIG. 49( b), even under the condition when thelight shielding mask 4701 and the measurement probe 101 are attached,the fixing member 4604 never touches the shell plates 4701, thereby, abiological optical measurement can be performed at a desired measurementposition.

Further, the light shielding mask 4601 according to the embodiment 19 isconstituted so as to cover only the face of the subject 214, however,the present invention is not restricted to such embodiment, for example,the light shielding member 4602 can be, of course, arranged at the faceportion of the shell plates 2201 and 2204 according to the embodiment10. Still further, such a shell plate can be provided in which probeholders are disposed at such as the back head portion and the side headportion while disposing the light shielding member 4602 at the faceportion of the shell plate covering only the head portion of the subject214 like a face mask for fencing.

Still further, since the individual difference of head portion size iscomparatively large, if a plurality kind of light shielding masks areprepared in advance and a most proper one is selected and used dependingon the shape of the head portion of the subject 214, a possible gapoccurrence between the light shielding mask 4601 and the head portioncan be prevented.

Still further, as shown in FIGS. 50( a) and 50(b), when fixing one endsof fixing members 4802 through 4805 which attach the light shieldingmask 4601 to the subject 214 to a shell plate 4801, in other words, whenforming integrally the light shielding mask 4601 and the measurementprobe 101, the attachment of the light shielding mask 4601 and themeasurement probe 101 can be performed at the same time, thereby,diagnosis efficiency can be enhanced. Moreover, when forming the lightshielding mask 4601 and the measurement probe 101 integrally, anadvantage can be achieved that a possible touching between the shellplate 4801 and the fixing members 4802 through 4805 at the time ofattachment can be prevented.

Embodiment 20

FIG. 51 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a stimulationunit in a biological optical measurement instrument representing the 101embodiment 20 according to the present invention, wherein 4901 shows adisplay support portion, 4902 a support pillars, 4903 height adjustmentscrews and 4904 a display unit. However, in the following explanation,like the embodiment 4 only the structure of the stimulation unit will beexplained which is different from that in the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 1. X, Y and Z in FIG.51 respectively show X axis; Y axis and Z axis.

As will be seen from FIG. 51, the stimulation unit according to theembodiment 20 is constituted by the flat plate shaped display supportportion 4901 at the center portion of which the display unit 4904 isarranged, four pieces of the support pillars 4902 which are arranged atfour corners of the display support portion 4901 and hold the displaysupport portion at a predetermined height, four pieces of the heightadjustment screws 4903 disposed at the side faces of the display supportportion 4901 and the display unit 4904 disposed at the center portion ofthe display support portion 4901.

The display unit 4904 is constituted, for example, like the embodiment4, by a well known not shown liquid crystal display unit and a wellknown not shown speaker disposed at the same side as the display face ofthe liquid crystal unit.

The center portion of the display support portion 4901 is opened and atthe opened portion thereof the display unit 4904 is disposed. Further,at the respective four corners of the display support portion 4901 holeswhich penetrate in Z axis direction are formed and each of the supportpillars 4902 is inserted into the respective holes. At least one lengthin X axis and Y axis directions of the display support portion 4901 isformed longer than the width of the head portion of the subject 214 forthe measurement object.

The height adjustment screws 4903 are disposed on the side faces of thedisplay support portion 4901, in that on a plane parallel to Z axis. Thelength of the height adjustment screws 4903 is set so that the top endsthereof project from the inner circumferential faces of the holes formedat the four corners of the display support portion 4901.

Accordingly, in the stimulation unit according to the embodiment 20,through adjustment of the fixing position of the display support portion4901 by the height adjustment screws 4903, the distance from the subject214 to the display face of the display unit 4904 can be set freely.Thereby, the measurement can be performed properly for all of thesubjects 214 such as adults and children having different size of headportions. Further, when relaxing after applying an intense stimulationand when the subject 214 can not concentrate to one point, the heightthereof can be adjusted.

Still further, in the stimulation unit according to the embodiment 20,since the respective heights of the four support pillars 4902 can beadjusted independently, for example, even when there is an unevennesswhere the stimulation unit is installed or when the installationposition is inclined, the stimulation unit can be disposed in parallelwith the subject 214 which is one of advantages.

As has been explained hitherto, in the stimulation unit according to theembodiment 20, since the position of the display unit 4904 can be setfreely, the display unit can be set at an optimum position so as to meetwith the line of sight position of the subject. Namely, throughdisplacing the stimulation unit along the body axis, measurement causingthe line of sight downward, measurement causing the line of sight frontward and measurement causing the line of sight upward can be selecteddepending on necessity. Accordingly, the present embodiment is suitablefor giving light stimulation to a baby who has difficulty of directingthe line of sight upward and biological optical measurement causing theline of sight downward can be performed easily.

Further, in the embodiment 20, a liquid crystal display unit is used forthe display unit 4904 serving as a light stimulation generating means,however, the present invention is not limited thereto, for example, awell known light bulb, a stroboscope unit, a projector unit and a backlight unit used for a liquid crystal unit can be, of course, used. Likethe embodiment 4, when performing biological optical measurement for ababy as the subject 214, since it is difficult to draw attention to thedisplay unit 4904, a light bulb, a stroboscope unit and a projector unitcapable of emitting light with a comparatively high capacity aresuitable.

Further, if a plurality kind of units such as a light bulb, astroboscope unit, a projector, unit and a back light unit are preparedin advance and a kind of unit which is arranged on the display supportportion 4901 is properly selected depending on measurements such asmeasurement which provides a simple light stimulation such as lightflashing and measurement which provides complex light stimulation suchas light patterns, an optimum light stimulation can be provided to thesubject 214, thereby, the measurement accuracy can be enhanced.

Further, as a stimulation unit suitable for a baby, an incubator 5001can be used in which at the upper face portion of a well known incubatora fixing mechanism 5002 is provided and the display unit 4904 isdisposed at the fixing mechanism 5002. With the stimulation unit asshown in FIG. 52, since the subject 214 is laid in the incubator 5001,the movement in the body axis direction is restricted. Accordingly, thepresent embodiment is suitable for giving light stimulation to a babywho has difficulty of directing the line of sight upward and biologicaloptical measurement causing the line of sight downward can be performedeasily.

In the stimulation unit as shown in FIG. 52, if a well known slidingmechanism is provided for the fixing unit 5002 and setting the slidingdirection to the body axis direction of the subject 214, namely, thelongitudinal direction of the incubator 5001, stimulation can be givento the subject under an optimum condition regardless to the set positionof the subject 214.

Embodiment 21

FIG. 53 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a biologicaloptical measurement instrument representing the embodiment 21 accordingto the present invention, wherein 5101 shows a video camera and 5102 acontrol synthesizing unit. However, in the following explanation, onlythe video camera 5101 and the control synthesizing unit Si02 will beexplained, which is different from that in the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiments 1 and 4.

In FIG. 53, the video camera 5101 is a well known video camera whichtakes picture and records the same of the behavior of the not shownsubject 214, and in the embodiment 21, the video camera is set so as topermit picture taking, in particular, at the front face of the subject214, namely, at the side where the stimulation unit 1301 is disposed.

The control synthesizing unit 5102 commands to the video camera 5101 tostart and end the photograph recording of the subject 214 based on themeasurement start from the information processing unit 106 as well asoutputs the lapsed time from the photograph recording start to theinformation processing unit 106. Further, the control synthesizing unit5102 outputs a picture image at a designated time to the informationprocessing unit 106 based on a reproduction command from the informationprocessing unit 106. The reproduced picture image is displayed on thedisplay screen of the not shown display unit connected to theinformation processing unit 106.

Now, FIG. 54 shows a display example by the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 21 and hereinbelow anoperation of the biological optical measurement instrument according tothe embodiment 21 will be explained with reference to FIG. 54.

In FIG. 54, 5201 shows a display screen, 5202 a display region ofreproduced picture image, 5203-5208 are display regions of measurementresults.

A photograph recorded condition of the subject 214 is reproduced anddisplayed on the display region 5202 for reproduced picture image, andmeasurement results in the measurement data obtained at that time aredisplayed on the display regions 5203-5208.

As has been explained hitherto, with the biological measurementinstrument according to the embodiment 21, since the state of thesubject 214 at the time of measurement can be always measured, inparticular, when analyzing the biological optical measurement results ofa baby as the subject 214, whether the subject 214 shows an interest toa stimulation, namely, recognizes the stimulation can be confirmed. As aresult, an analysis can be performed only on the measurement results atthe time when the subject 214 recognizes the stimulation, thereby, anaccurate analysis can be effected. Accordingly, necessity of such asre-measurement and a plurality of same measurements can be avoided,thereby, diagnosis efficiency, in other words, measurement efficiencycan be enhanced.

Embodiment 22

FIGS. 55( a) and 55(b) are views for explaining a schematic constitutionof a measurement probe 101 in a biological optical measurementinstrument representing the embodiment 22 according to the presentinvention, and FIGS. 56( a) and 56(b) are views for explaining anattachment state of the measurement probe 101 of the embodiment 22according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 55( a) is a viewfor explaining a schematic structure of a shell plate, FIG. 55( b) is aview for explaining an air balloon, FIG. 56( a) is a view for explaininga state immediately after attachment of the measurement probe 101 andFIG. 56( b) is a view for explaining a state in which air is chargedinto the air balloon. However, in the following explanation, only thestructure relating to the present embodiment. 22 in the measurementprobe 101 will be explained which is different from that in thebiological optical measurement instrument according to the embodiment 1.

As shown in FIG. 55( a), a shell plate 5301 according to the embodiment22 is constituted in the same manner as the previous shell plates. Atthe end portions of the shell plate not shown belts 5305 are disposedwhich fix the shell plate 5301 to the subject 214. However, for the sakeof simple explanation, probe holders are omitted and only the holes towhich the probe holders are disposed are illustrated.

The air balloon 5303 is formed from such as resin having flexibility,for example, like a well known rubber ring and opening portions 5304 areformed at positions corresponding to holes 5302 provided for the shellplate 5301 as shown in FIG. 55( b), not shown air charging port isformed for the air balloon 5303 and through charging air from the aircharging port the air balloon 5303 expands to a predetermined volume.

Now, an attachment sequence and advantage of the measurement probe 101according to the embodiment 22 will be explained with reference to FIGS.56( a) and 56(b).

As will be seen from FIG. 56( a), head portions of subjects 214 show avariety of shapes depending on individual difference, therefore, with ashell plate 5301 prepared in advance it is possible that a gap 5306between the shell plate 5301 and the head portion occurs. Namely, sincea contacting area between the shell plate 5301 and the head portionbecomes small, a possible displacement of the shell plate 5301 likelyoccurs.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 56( b), if the air balloon 5303 isdisposed between the shell plate 5301 and the head portion and air ischarged thereinto, the air balloon 5303 fills the gap 5306 between theshell plate 5301 and the head portion, namely, the measurement probe 101is closely contacted to the subject 214, thereby, the possibledisplacement of the measurement probe 101 can be prevented. As a result,accuracy of biological optical measurement can be enhanced. Further,since the displacement of the measurement probe 101 can be prevented,re-measurement due to the displacement can be reduced, thereby,diagnosis efficiency can be enhanced.

At a belt 5305 provided for the shell plate 5301 according to theembodiment 22 a chin use plate 5307 is disposed and the chin use plate5307 is applied to the chin of the subject 214. Namely, since a possibledisplacement of the shell plate 5301 due to expansion of the air balloon5303 is restricted by the belt 5305, the measurement probe 101 can becontacted closely to the subject 214.

Embodiment 23

FIGS. 57( a), 57(b) and 57(c) are views for explaining a schematicconstitution of a measurement probe 101 in a biological opticalmeasurement instrument representing the embodiment 23 according to thepresent invention, and, in particular, FIG. 57( a) is a view forexplaining a schematic structure of a shell plate, FIG. 57( b) is avertical cross sectional side view of the shell plate and FIG. 57( c) isa view for explaining an attached state of the measurement probe 101.However, in the following explanation, only the structure of the shellplate relating to the present embodiment 23 in the measurement probe 101will be explained which is different from that in the biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to the embodiment 1.

As will be seen from FIG. 57( a), in a shell plate 5501 according theembodiment 23 passages 5503 are formed which lead air near to holes 5502into which not shown probe holders are disposed. Accordingly, one endsof the respective air passages 5503 are collected together and areconnected to an air hose. On the other hand, the other ends of the airpassages 5503 are opened to the side of a subject on the shell plate5501. Compressed air is supplied to the air hose 5504.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 57( b) and S7(c), since the compressedair supplied through the air passages 5503 is injected as shown byarrows to the attachment positions of the probe holders forming theopening portions, namely, to the positions where the end portions of thenot shown optical fibers 107 and 108, a possible hair is displaced bythe injected compressed air and the skin is exposed at the air injectedportions. In other words, the hair avoiding work at the time whenattaching the not shown probe casings is unnecessitated, thereby,attachment of the measurement probe is facilitated. As a result,diagnosis efficiency can be enhanced. Further, the hair avoiding workcan be performed only by injecting compressed air without injuring thescalp of the subject 214. Optimum position and angle of the openingportions through which compressed air is injected are determined forevery probe casing and shell plate through measurement in advance.

Further, in the embodiments according to the present invention, asemiconductor laser is used as the light source, however, the presentinvention is not limited thereto, for example, light sources such astitanium-sapphire laser and a light emitting diode can be, of course,used therefor.

Still further, a living body passed light intensity picture image whichis display picture image data obtained through three dimensional splineinterpolation computation, other than displaying on the display unit,can be, of course, stored, for example, such as in a magnetic disk unitand an optical disk unit representing a not shown external memory unitconnected to the information processing unit 106.

Still further, it is, of course, possible to display superposedly of theliving body passed light intensity picture image stored in the externalmemory unit over a three dimensional image measured such as by an X rayCT device and an MR device.

Still further, in the measurement probes 101 according to theembodiments the length in the longitudinal direction of the pillow base208, namely, the length in the hanging direction of the belt 202 isfixed, however, the structure of the pillow base 208 is not limitedthereto, for example, as shown in FIG. 58( a), the pillow base 208 isdivided into two parts in its longitudinal direction, between the twoparts a well known rail mechanism is provided in which a rail 5601 isdisposed, a well known fixing mechanism is also provided which fixes thedivided pillow base 208 and the rail 5601 by screws 5602, thereby, theinterval between the support pillars 205 can be adjustable, thus, ameasurement which is most suitable for the size of the head portion of asubject 214 can be performed. FIG. 58( b) is a vertical cross sectionalside view of a part of the rail mechanism and as will be seen from FIG.58( b) the cross section of the pillow base 208 is formed in an invertedU shape. The rail 5601 is inserted into the space of the pillow base 208and is fixed thereto by the screws 5602, thereby, the interval betweenthe support pillars 205 can be adjusted to a desired one.

Hereinabove, the invention carried out by the present inventors has beenexplained specifically with reference to the embodiments according tothe present invention, however, the present invention is not limited tothe embodiments according to the present invention, and the embodimentscan be, of course, modified in a variety of manners without departingthe gist of the present invention.

The followings are simple summary of advantages obtained by typicalembodiments among the invention disclosed in the present specification;

(1) A biological optical measurement can be performed for a subject inlateral decubitus.

(2) Hair avoiding work at the time of attaching a measurement probe canbe performed easily.

(3) A biological optical measurement can be performed while providing apredetermined stimulation onto a subject.

(4) Diagnosis efficiency can be enhanced.

1. A biological optical measurement instrument comprising: a measurementprobe adapted to be positioned to a surface of a subject, whichirradiates light beams having a plurality of wavelengths from a lightbeam source through optical fibers onto the subject, and collects thelight beams passed inside the subject from a plurality of positions tofacilitate production of diagnostics from collected light beams of thesubject, wherein the measurement probe is provided with probe casingsformed in a cylindrical shape, which hold the optical fibers, fixingmembers to position the probe casings in a predetermined interval, and asupport member which supports the fixing members and which is adapted tobe attached to a head portion of the subject, and wherein the respectivefixing member is provided with a predetermined width along an innercircumference thereof to permit fixed engagement of the respective probecasing with the respective fixing member, and a moveable supportmechanism where a subject-contacting end portion of the optical fibersis movably retractable relative to the subject while supported in thefixed engagement with the respective fixing member.
 2. A biologicaloptical measurement instrument according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of the respective probe casing or the respective fixing member isprovided with a fixing groove having a predetermined width, whichengages with a stopper claw on the other of the respective probe casingof the respective fixing member, for the fixed engagement.
 3. Abiological optical measurement instrument according to claim 2, whereinthe fixing groove has a predetermined size.
 4. A biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to claim 2, wherein the probe casing isprovided with the stopper claw, and the fixing member is provided withthe fixing groove.
 5. A biological optical measurement instrumentaccording to claim 4, wherein a shape of a part the stopper claw,projecting to the optical fiber fixing member, has a projection amountthereof gradually increased in a direction opposite to a direction ofinserting the probe casing into the fixing member.
 6. A biologicaloptical measurement instrument according to claim 2, comprising a fixinggroove having a predetermined size formed along an inner circumferenceof each of the fixing member.
 7. A biological optical measurementinstrument according to claim 4, wherein a spring mechanism is built-inin the probe casing, with the spring mechanism cooperating with thestopper claw to bias engagement thereof with the fixing groove, and withthe spring mechanism being operable to disengage the stopper claw fromthe fixing groove.
 8. A biological optical measurement instrumentaccording to claim 4, wherein a release button is operable integral withthe stopper claw, and when the release button is pressed, the stopperclaw is retreated into the probe casing and the probe casing is releasedfrom the optical fiber fixing member.
 9. A biological opticalmeasurement instrument according to claim 4, wherein each of the probecasings is provided with a stopper claw near a predetermined end portionthereof so as to permit engagement with the fixing groove.
 10. Abiological optical measurement instrument according to claim 1, whereinthe fixing member is provided with a stopper claw so as to properlyposition the probe casing.
 11. A biological optical measurementinstrument according to claim 1, wherein a guide slit is provided withinthe probe casing, and a slide member is arranged along the guide slit.12. A biological optical measurement instrument according to claim 1,wherein ones of the fixing members have a substantially cylindricalshape.
 13. A biological optical measurement instrument according toclaim 1, comprising the moveable support mechanism being a springpressing mechanism adapted to press the subject-contacting portion of anoptical fiber onto the subject through a force pushing out the opticalfiber by the spring pressing mechanism.
 14. A biological opticalmeasurement instrument according claim 13, wherein the spring pressingmechanism is adapted to keep a compressed condition when thesubject-contacting end portion of the optical fibers is adapted to beconfronted to the subject.
 15. A biological optical measurementinstrument comprising: a measurement probe adapted to be positionedagainst a surface of a subject, which irradiates light beams having aplurality of wavelengths from a light beam source through optical fibersonto the subject, and collects the light beams passed inside the subjectfrom a plurality of positions to facilitate production of diagnosticsfrom collected light beams from the subject, wherein the measurementprobe is provided with probe casings formed in a cylindrical shape,which hold the optical fibers, fixing members to position the probecasings in a predetermined interval, and a support member which supportsthe fixing members and which is adapted to be attached to a head portionof the subject, and wherein the respective fixing member is providedwith a predetermined width along an inner circumference thereof topermit fixed engagement of the respective probe casing with therespective fixing member, and a retractable movement mechanism to allowa subject-contacting end portion of the optical fibers to be retractablymovable into the respective probe casing relative to the surface of thesubject.
 16. A biological optical measurement instrument comprising: ameasurement probe adapted to be positioned against a surface of asubject, which irradiates light beams having a plurality of wavelengthsfrom a light beam source through optical fibers onto the subject, andcollects the light beams passed inside the subject from a plurality ofpositions to facilitate production of diagnostics from collected lightbeams from the subject, wherein the measurement probe is provided withprobe casings formed in a cylindrical shape, which hold the opticalfibers, fixing members to position the probe casings in a predeterminedinterval, and a support member which supports the fixing members andwhich is adapted to be attached to a head portion of the subject, andwherein the respective fixing member is provided with a predeterminedwidth along an inner circumference thereof to permit fixed engagement ofthe respective probe casing with the respective fixing member, and aswing mechanism to allow a subject-contacting end portion of the opticalfibers to be swingable in a predetermined manner to change an angle ofthe subject-contacting end portion relative to the surface of thesubject.